A ROSSENDALE high school celebrated its best ever exam results at an awards evening with a special visit from a past pupil - the Canon of Bradford Cathedral.

Cannon David Brierley, who left Fearns Community Sports College in 1970, was invited back to the Stacksteads school last night as guest of honour.

Canon Brierley accompanied headteacher Mark Smallwood in congratulating the class of 2004 on their achievements and presented pupils with a variety of awards.

And the Mayor of Rossendale, Coun June Forshaw, joined governors, guests, parents, staff and students for the annual event.

Mr Smallwood said: "It has been a very, very successful year. We have had a superb young enterprise team and produced a fantastic sculpture with the help of Kingfisher for the new Futures Park and to cap it off the award for Sports College Status.

"We have been successful not just for ourselves, but with the extra school sports co-ordinator bid we are now co-ordinating the development of PE and sports in all the primary schools across the Valley."

He added: "We will remember 2004 most because the class of 2004 achieved the best set of examination results in the history of the school. This continued the trend to increase the number of pupils achieving at GCSE at a rate higher than the national improvement.

"I would like to say thank you to all those who have made this year such a success."