THE Bishop Auckland school where screen legend Stan Laurel gave some of his very first performances at the tender age of 12, is celebrating its 400th anniversary.

King James I Community College is staging a host of events to mark the milestone ending with a reunion ball on Saturday.

Stanley Jefferson's academic record was less than impressive but his clowning around in the school staff room did lead to greater things for the young man, where his father ran the local theatre in Bishop Auckland.

And while he may only have attended King James 1 Grammar School for just over a year he certainly left his mark both on the school and on the town.

More than 100 years later pupils from King James 1 Community College still proudly boast that they go to the same school that Stan Laurel attended.

Unfortunately there are no pictures to prove it but there are photocopies of a register that says Stanley Jefferson, son of a theatre proprietor, attended the school from January 1902 to July 1903.

The Laurel and Hardy connection may be the most famous part of the school's history but as it celebrates its 400th birthday it still has plenty to be proud of.

This week it will be a hive of activity after starting its celebrations with a reunion of staff past and present.

Val Bainbridge, who has organised the events, is hoping that it will not only be a trip down memory lane for all who have been involved with the school but also a chance to throw open its doors and invite the community.

She said: "Our main event is on Saturday and we want as many people as possible to come along and have a good time.''

Saturday will see the school grounds transformed with a huge marquee full of stalls, a fun fair and other activities from noon until 4pm. The school will then be open from 4pm to 6pm to give former pupils and staff a chance to catch up. The marquee will then be laid out with a buffet for the 400th anniversary ball.

Mrs Bainbridge said: "We have sold more than 100 tickets but there is still room for more. We are really looking forward to it."

Past and present staff enjoyed a get together last weekend at the school and various other events are taking place this week including a performance of The Pit Heaps by the school's theatre group BATH.

Mrs Bainbridge said: "King James is a lovely school. I think most people are proud of its history. I think it is quite special to be somewhere that has been going for 400 years. It is quite an achievement."

For more information, or to get tickets for the reunion ball on Saturday, contact Mrs Bainbridge on 07962 128640 or (01388) 603388 or visit www.kjl.co.uk