PUPILS, teachers and parents at Bridge of Allan Primary are getting ready to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary in style with a golden garden party.

The event, which is open to the local community, takes place at the school on Friday, June 17 and will include a visit from the reigning Miss Scotland and Miss UK Mhairi Fergusson.

Depute headteacher Julie Russell says: "We’re looking forward to a lovely day of celebrations and hope local people will come along and help us mark this special anniversary.

"We’re pleased to be welcoming lots of VIPs to the garden party including community leaders, local politicians, former teachers and Stirling celebrity Mhairi Fergusson who was delighted to be invited to come along."

Celebrations for pupils, staff and VIPs will begin in the early afternoon with indoor activities for children, canapes and the cutting of a golden anniversary cake.

The schools’ doors will then open to the public at 3.15pm for a fun-packed afternoon where the entertainment includes a tombola, football tournament, raffle, face painting and home baking.

There will also be a bouncy castle and a variety of games including hoopla, tin can alley, lucky dip and hook a duck.

From 5-8pm, the entertainment switches to feature sessions from local musicians including the GT Boos Band, a disco, BBQ and family games such as a Beetle Drive and Bingo.

There will also be a drinks tent and a bar run by the Allan Water Brewery.

The theme of the day will be 'golden' to tie in with the 50th anniversary and those attending are invited to dress up in yellow and gold.

The garden party is being organised by the school and its parent teacher association FAST (Families and School Together).

FAST Chair Jane Corbett has also set up a Facebook page so former pupils, staff and teachers can share photographs, memories and mementos in advance of the day.

These old photographs and memorabilia will then be used to create a special 50th exhibition in the school assembly hall on the day of the party.

Mrs Corbett said: "It would be fantastic if anyone who has memories of their time at Bridge of Allan Primary School or old photographs – particularly class photos – could share them with us.

"They can do so by uploading to the Facebook page or popping into school with any memorabilia or photographs they may be able to lend to us.

"We’re hoping to make the golden anniversary party a really memorable celebration for everyone in the local community and it should be a fantastic day for all the family."

The Facebook page can be accessed by searching Bridge of Allan PS 50th on Facebook.

Entry to the golden garden party is free, however, there will be collections for Strathcarron Hospice throughout the event and any funds raised from FAST stalls will be used to benefit the primary and nursery school.