GREEN Hill School in Evesham is now a shadow of its former self as staff said a final farewell to pupils and parents when it closed its doors for good.

The town's only private school shut on Friday, July 4 as a result of failing pupil numbers after more than 100 years of providing education in Evesham.

Emotions ran high on the final day of term as it held its last ever speech day and prize giving.

Staff made sure it was an extra special event with prizes being awarded to every pupil for their achievements.

Evesham Town Councillor Diana Raphael - a former pupil of the school - was the guest speaker and addressed 300 people made up of past and present pupils and parents.

Afterwards they all enjoyed a pig roast and disco in the evening.

Headteacher Oliver Lister said: "It was a very emotional day with a mixture of feelings from pupils. They were all very excited because it was speech day which they always enjoy it because it is a day of celebration and recognising their achievements which was lovely.

"There were some tears after the proceedings as children, staff and parents realised that was it, which was of course very sad."

Mr Lister and his wife Lynne, who also taught at the school, were presented with a glass bowl by the Friends of the Green Hill School.

She said: "The disco and the presentation were a lovely note to finish on."

To mark the school's closure and celebrate its achievements, it held three coffee mornings throughout its last week for past pupils and parents to attend.

Forty people of all ages came from all over to enjoy one last tour around the school.

The friends of the school and the deputy head also produced a final year book.

The couple have lived at the school since taking over in 1993. They will remain at the premises until they determine its future, but it is likely the building will eventually be sold.

Mr Lister, a qualified school inspector, plans to further his career in this direction while Mrs Lister is undecided what the future holds for her.

They thanked all the staff, pupils and parents and added: "We are missing them already."

The school uniforms' have all been sent over seas for charity. Some will go to a small school in Kenya while the resources are being sold to other schools.