AN all-conquering rowing crew has been welcomed back by a school 40 years after hitting the heights during a trophy-laden season.

The crew of 1970 from the Durham School Boat Club won silverware in the form of the Grand Challenge at Durham Regatta, the National School Regatta and also gained selection as the Great Britain junior coxed four in the World Junior championships.

At the weekend, they joined in celebrations marking 25 years since girls were admitted to the school’s previously all-male sixth form.

Members of the crew had a new boat named after them – the aptly named The Crew of 1970 – and also launched an appeal to raise funds for another boat which the school hopes to buy.

They mingled with current pupils at the school’s boat club, which is on the banks of the River Wear and overlooked by Durham Cathedral.

The school also had an open morning for “old girls” and their families.

On Saturday, a reunion dinner was held, with guest speaker Katie Fraser – nee Geiser – the first girl head of school.