A SERIES of events is being organised to commemorate a popular primary school which is to close.

Hamsteels Primary School, in Esh Winning, will be made redundant at the end of the summer term.

The school is planning an exhibition, a staff reunion and a sports day to give current and former pupils and teachers a chance to say goodbye.

Headteacher Jane McGuire said: "We are celebrating the life of Hamsteels and the contribution it has made to the community.

"Children have been engaging with a creative curriculum to help organise a number of events. The exhibition will comprise photographs, artwork and artefacts depicting the history of the school."

The exhibition is being held from Monday, June 30, to Friday, July 4, and people are being asked to submit contributions.

The staff reunion will be held on Wednesday, July 9, from 4.30pm, and is open to teachers and support staff who have worked at the school over the years.

A sports day and summer fair will be held on Thursday, June 26, and will include races for children and their parents. The races start at 1.30pm and the fair will begin at 2.30pm.

The school, which opened on March 28, 1974, has become a central part of the community and the event is expected to be very popular.

The decision to close the school was made by Durham County Council earlier this year.

Councillors ruled its 61 pupils must go to Esh Winning Primary School, one mile away, or their parents must find them a place elsewhere.

The move will save the authority £120,000 a year, although it will cost £60,000 to demolish the buildings.

Eighteen people, including teachers, classroom assistants, cleaners and dining room staff are being made redundant.

Parents collected 500 names on a petition to save the school.

Mrs McGuire said: "As well as celebrating the history of the school this also about the new future for our children.

"We want them to be able to move with a positive attitude."