LORD Derby will be on hand to help a Bury secondary school mark its 60th anniversary.

Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, will be the guest of honour at a garden party to celebrate The Derby High School's diamond jubilee.

Staff are also appealing for photographs dating back to the school's opening in 1959 to produce a display.

A spokesman for the school said: "It is thanks to all our stakeholders, governors, teachers, parents and our PTA: Friends of The Derby that we are able to extend a warm invitation to all to our diamond jubilee celebration.

"The event promises to be very special with numerous community groups and local businesses contributing to the host of exciting activities."

He added: "We are incredibly fortunate and honoured that Lord Derby will open the event."

Hundreds of thousands of pupils have attended the school over the last 60 years.

When it opened in 1950 as The Derby Grammar-Technical School, the site was one of the first establishments to pioneer the dual academic and vocational approach to secondary education.

In 1979, The Derby High School became a comprehensive, and then in 2003, it became the very first science and arts college in the country.

Residents are invited to save the date for the garden party celebration on Thursday, July 11, between 6pm and 8pm.

To contribute photographs, programme or other visuals relating to the school's history, email lprovoost@thederbyhighschool.co.uk.

Alternatively, drop them off at the school's main reception, enclosed in an envelope marked ‘for the attention of Mrs L Provoost’.