EMOTIONS ran high at a the special farewell church service for an Otley school, which will close tomorrow.

Children, parents, past pupils and friends of Thomas Chippendale Primary School filed into All Saints Parish Church on Friday for it's Valediction service.

MP Harold Best and Otley Mayor Councillor Gerard Francis heard tributes paid to the school by past and present pupils and from its many supporters.

Headteacher Sue Cook urged everyone not to feel sad at the school's closing, but to look ahead.

"Pupils have always come back to visit us and one of the saddest moments of the last few weeks is when our present Year Six say where on earth will they go back to."

And Richard Bleasdale, vice chairman of governors, spoke of how the school had had just four headteachers in its 49 year history.

"They all stayed with us until they retired, which goes to show we must be doing something right.

"I have really enjoyed the relationship I have had with the school, it has been a real pleasure to have been involved with it," he said.

Karina Armitage, a former pupil of the school, now at Prince Henry's Grammar School, spoke of her fond memories of the school and how she would miss going back to see old friends.

"It is a fantastic school, I shall remember it for the school trips, the exciting sports days and all the interesting lessons we had."

The school had asked all its pupils to write their favourite memories and a selection were also read out at the service.

Mavis Bowman, of the Weston Lane Friendship Club, said since the club was formed in 1973 it had enjoyed great links with the school.

She talked about how club members had been invited to the school's annual productions, to its various celebrations and most recently, to its Queen's Golden Jubilee events.

"There are no words to express the sorrow we feel at the closure of Thomas Chippendale.

"We are very grateful to have been part of the family of the school.

"It has been very precious and has made us feel young again."

l A service for All Saints Junior School, which is also due to close on Friday, is due to take place on Friday from 10am at All Saints Parish Church.