TAVISTOCK College students have honoured the school's founders and celebrated more than 1,000 years of learning in the town.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the college's conversion to a comprehensive school, Year 8 students took part in a service at St Eustachius' Church.

The church is next to the site of the first abbey school set up in 981AD.

Students played music, read tributes and prayers, and acted out the roles of Tavistock College's five founders – Edmund Tremayne, Sir John Glanville, John Fitz, John Russell The Duke of Bedford and Sir Francis Drake.

Sally Hubbard, head of Year 8, said: "The students did incredibly well and it helped the whole year group to understand the importance of these men to the history of their school."

Carolyn Tossell, assistant principal, added: "Well done to everybody involved. They were a credit to the college.

"Visitors said they really enjoyed the service and were amazed at the confidence the students displayed and the talent in the jazz band."

Guests included parents, grandparents and local councillors as well as representatives of past pupils from the Reunion Society.