CELEBRATING a Hampshire's school's 50th anniversary was a piece of cake for one of its ex-pupils.

Plant engineer Mike Birkett, 56, was among the first children to be taught at Blackfield Infant School, which opened in 1953.

Mr Birkett, formerly of Hampton Lane, Blackfield, has lived in Melbourne, Australia, for the past 22 years.

He was already planning a visit to Britain when he heard about the school's anniversary and juggled his holiday dates so he could attend.

Head teacher Hazel Ironside invited him to cut a celebratory cake.

Mr Birkett said: "Because my surname began with a B, I was pupil number one on the register."

Other anniversary celebrations included the planting of a cherry tree donated by Exbury Gardens, near Beaulieu.

Exbury's president, Edmund de Rothschild, whose wife Anne attended the planting, said: "I'm so pleased we were able to give a tree to the school."