THREE old books presented to a school library yesterday speak volumes about the changes in education and society over the past century.

The beautifully-bound and illustrated editions were prizes presented to two members of a family in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in the 1870s and 1880s.

First treasured by schoolboys John and Thomas Waggot, both pupils at the town's Bishop Barrington School, they were handed down through the family to another Thomas Waggot, a retired businessman from Barnard Castle, who wanted to give them back to preserve them for future generations.

Mr Waggot knows very little about his ancestors, only that the first Thomas grew up to be Bishop Auckland's registrar. He received The Bird World in 1882.

John must have been a conscientious pupil.

His book Duty is Safety was given as a reward for good attendance at Christmas 1873 and another The Stage Coach was awarded in 1874.

Bishop Barrington's records from the time show that attendance was considered a constant worry, with many of the 200 boys sent to work instead of school, which at that time was in the Market Place.

Pupils at the present day building, in Woodhouse Lane, are given time out of the classroom for work placements, but these are considered an important part of the curriculum and are very highly valued.

And schools are much more imaginative in rewarding good attendance, with treats such as cash prizes, shopping trips and rides in limousines.

Headteacher Bruce Guthrie said: "All schools take attendance seriously and it is very interesting to see that schools were doing so as far back as 1873.

"These links with the past are invaluable. Our pupils will be fascinated with them."

Mr Waggot, 73, said: "Thomas Waggot was my father's uncle and I was named after him but I know very little about him.

"They are lovely books and I am pleased that the school has got them."