Former pupils can check up on the friendliness rating of their school thanks to a new league table published by website Friends Reunited.

The site, which was set up four years ago to help old school friends get back in touch, has come up with a list of the 200 friendliest secondary schools in Britain out of a possible 22,000.

Friendliness ratings were put together by analysing the average number of e-mails sent by each ex-pupil to their classmates and the average number of pupils who send messages.

Nationally, the class of 1963 was found to be the most friendly, followed by the class of 1973.

Top of the class in the North is Rossett High School, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, which was named the seventh most friendly school.

It was followed by Oaklands Comprehensive, Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, in 29th place, Risedale Community College, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, in 42nd place and Brackenhoe Comprehensive, Middlesbrough in 46th place.

Headteacher of Rossett School, Pat Hunter, started at the school at Easter, but she said the rating was fully deserved.

She said: "At first we were quite surprised, but when we thought about it we weren't, because we have quite a lot of interest from ex-students who come back and lots of ex-students send their children here."

Top place in the league table went to Elliott School in Putney, London.