HALF a century of learning was celebrated by a Swindon primary school.

Lainesmead treated pupils to picnics, a summer fete and a range of games to celebrate the school's 50th birthday.

And headteacher Jeannette Turner said the festivities would live long in the memory of both pupils and teachers.

"We've had a fantastic week," she said. "It's been really lovely."

Throughout the week the students worked with three local artists to produce work about the school's experiences over the last 50 years.

And the changing face of Lainesmead throughout the years was a key focus of the celebrations.

Mrs Turner, who has been in charge of the school since 2000, said: "Students picked a decade and had to focus on how things such as music, clothes and technology had changed.

"Former head Margaret Pickett came down and talked to the children about how the school has changed - things like the building and the classrooms. It was very interesting."

The students also got the opportunity to interview several members of the current staff, who were former pupils, about their experiences at the school, which is in Old Walcot.

After a week of learning about the school's history the pupils and teachers had a picnic on Thursday.

"It threw it down with rain," said Mrs Turner. "But that didn't stop us having a wonderful time."

Mum-of-six Becky Wolf had a daunting task when receiving her letter from Lainsemead about the celebrations.

Becky had to dress children Callum, 10, Lloyd, 10, Amy, nine, Jordan, eight, and Abbie, six, in the theme of the decade they were given.

"When I first read the letter I panicked," said Becky. "But luckily we had most of the stuff in the house.

"Callum was given the 80s, Lloyd the 50s, Amy the 90s, Jordan the 60s and Abbie had the 70s.

"We had a Star Wars costume already for Callum. Lloyd went in the Grease look and we had jeans and a leather jacket for him.

"Amy made her costume herself, I didn't have to help at all. She went as Ginger Spice.

"For Abbie's 70s costume the school tie-dyed t-shirts, which I thought was cool.

"The only thing we had to buy was Jordan's peace headband and glasses for his 60s outfit.

"They loved the week. They spent the whole time researching their decade, planning their costumes and practising their dances."

The week was rounded off with a parade around Walcot and a summer fete filled with various stalls and games.

Year 5 pupil William Mansell, 10, said: "It was so good it's hard to explain it all. I really enjoyed the fete."