Avebury Primary School closed with great dignity and more than a few laughs last week as doors closed on over 140 years of education in the village.

With falling numbers of children on the roll, the governors and local education authority had no choice but to wind up the tiny village school.

The 19 pupils will be heading off to five other schools in the area, including Broad Hinton, Bishops Cannings, Cherhill and Kennet Valley, while the Year 6 pupils will be going on to secondary education at St John's School in Marlborough.

At a special service in St James Church last Thursday, generations of pupils got together to bid farewell to the school.

The youngest pupil was just four years old, while the oldest, Miss Marjorie Rawlins, is 94.

Acting head teacher Derek Buckle said: "It was a wonderful occasion. There was music, readings and lots of anecdotes about events at the school over the years."

One of those sharing her memories was Heather Peak-Garland who was at school in Avebury in the 1930s. Her reminiscences enthralled all age groups.

The Archdeacon of Wiltshire, the Ven John Wraw, gave the address during the one hour 20 minute service.

Almost all the congregation took up the invitation to go back to the school for a buffet lunch, where old and young mixed and chatted.

Mr Buckle said: "It was a lovely day. The weather was very kind to us." He added: "The school has not closed because of the standard of education, but because we don't have enough children."

There will be a consultation into what should happen to the building.