A TELEVISION producer was the special guest at a historic Blackburn school's prize giving evening.

Charlotte Hindle delivered a speech about her career at the BBC and her school days at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School where she was a sixth form pupil between 1980 and 1982.

The afternoon at King George's Hall began with opening addresses from David Peat, chair of governors and headteacher Claire Gammon.

A review of the school year followed with pupils highlighting the varied activities and events held during the previous 12 months.

Ex-students, current students and pupils collected awards for attainment, effort, subject, sport, house, music and drama.

Entertainment was provided by the year seven choir while sixth former Lucy Hargreaves provided a musical interlude.

As with tradition, the event ended with a vote of thanks from current Head Boy and Head Girl and the singing of the national anthem.

In her opening, Mrs Gammon said the school is proud of the achievements pupils and students make.

She said: "At the centre of all that we do is the desire to see pupils and students progress and achieve in a wide range of subjects, sports, creative and musical disciplines in order that we produce young adults that are proud of their achievements, however great or small, and are instilled with a lifelong love of learning.

"Prize Giving is a hugely important event in our calendar and it is hoped, that in celebrating the successes of our pupils and students, it will prove an inspiration to the many who will go on to receive prizes in future years.

"Whether pupils and students gain formal prizes or not, each one of them makes a much appreciated contribution to the school and are fundamental in ensuring that Queen Elizabeth’s is a caring and aspirational community."

Prize winners include William Gedling who picked up the Elspeth Butler Prize for junior debating, Sebastian Lilley who was awarded the Queen Elizabeth's Debating Society Prize and Halima Karbhari who won the June Ballantyne Memorial Prize for Community Action.

The Birtle Prize, for those who exceeded expectations at A level, went to Aisha Sidat and Wesley Machie.