A PICTURE tells a thousand words and this image certainly sets an atmospheric school scene from more than 80 years ago.

It is of youngsters from Cherry Tree School enjoying their Christmas party, back in 1936.

The school hall has been taken over for the afternoon - simple tinsel has been criss crossed on the windows and there's a sprig or two of holly, while paper chains - no doubt made by the pupils using gummed coloured paper - hang down from the ceiling.

All the children appear to be wearing their best party attire, the little girls in their pretty dresses and the lads in shirts and ties, but with their dirty knees on view, thanks to their short trousers.

What we love, though, are the variety of party hats, which will have been made in class. There are a variety of styles - check out the oversized headgear of the lad second from left at the front.

Was it a Jacob's join for the party tea? We can see triangular sandwiches, iced buns and bowls of jelly, while the cups and saucers provide evidence of tea.

If you have any old Christmas party pictures from your school days, we'd love to see them. Email gill.johnson@nqnw.co.uk