THERE were tears and laughter in equal measures as students, staff and friends said a fond farewell to Barrhead High School.

Pupils had their last day at the school, in Aurs Road, on Friday and now head off on their summer break knowing they will return to a new state-of-the-art building next term.

The youngsters were piped out of the old school and sang songs in the quadrangle but, before that, a host of events had taken place to mark the milestone.

Headteacher Andy Sinclair told the Barrhead News: “We had a PE showcase on Wednesday, a farewell open night on Thursday and then the celebrations for the current pupils on Friday, so it was a very busy week and a really great send-off.

“More than 700 people turned up to the farewell evening, which was quite overwhelming. It was an informal event but it was fuelled with nostalgia and it seemed as though everyone just enjoyed the opportunity to have a last look around.”

For their final day at the old school, pupils were asked to pick a decade and wear clothes from that era.

Mr Sinclair added: “They made such an effort. Everyone looked great.”

The official ‘handing back’ of the school, which opened in 1971, is scheduled for August 7.

Pupils are expected to be able to start the 2017/18 academic year at their new £29 million school, which is being built at the Johnny Kelly Pavilion and blaes pitch site, adjacent to the existing Barrhead High, on August 11.