PREPARATIONS for a Burnham school's 50th anniversary are charging ahead.

Three events are to be held in June to mark St Peter's High School's milestone.

Pat Potten, who is co-ordinating the celebrations, said an exhibition of St Peter's memorabilia - some dating back to the year the school was opened in 1958 - will be launched at Burnham Museum in Coronation Road, Burnham.

The opening night, Saturday June 7, will be an invitation only event, but the display will be open to the public for the following ten days from 2pm to 5pm.

A Thanksgiving service will then be held at St Mary's Church, Burnham, on June 9.

Former staff, including headteachers and governors, will be attending along with ex-pupils including the 1961 head boy.

Mrs Potten said the whole community is invited to a Day of Celebration on Saturday June 14.

Held on the school field, the event will be kickstarted by a football tournament on the all-weather pitch.

Then, from 2pm to 5pm, fun for all the family will be on offer.

From displays by the town's primary schools to stage events in a marquee, everyone will be entertained.

Attractions will include a bouncy castle, food, music, and stalls run by various organisations including Maldon District Council's Waste Away team.

There will also be tours around the school, displays by groups including Burnham's firefighters and RNLI lifeboat crew, and community radio station Saint FM will be broadcasting a roadshow live from the field.

A grand draw, with a first prize of a holiday for four in Jersey, will raise money to pay for a minibus which is currently leased to the school.

The day will culminate with a balloon race using biodegradable, eco-friendly balloons.

A "booklet of memories" featuring photographs and anecdotes of former pupils and staff will be available, as will a history of secondary education in Burnham.

For more information contact the school on 01621 782377.