school friends travelled thousands of miles to exchange classroom tales - and re-live the 1970s.o The past pupils all went to the former Redefield Secondary School in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, between 1970-1974. And their '70s-style reunion raised almost £700 for an Oxford charity in a raffle.

More than 100 people greeted old classmates with hugs and cries of delight, at the Holy Family Church in Cuddesdon Way, on Saturday.

As well as sharing memories, they tucked into portions of fish and chips, donated by Smarts on the estate, and danced along to hits from the decade into the early hours.

Organiser Agatha Harris, (formerly Agatha St Hilaire), a curriculum manager from Surrey, left Oxford 35 years ago, and looked back on her school days with fondness.

The 49-year-old, who lived in the estate's Windrush Tower, said: "The reunion was absolutely phenomenal. The dance floor was never empty.

"We had a good chunk of people from each year - and friends came from America, Canada and Spain just for this reunion.

"You do remember faces, but it was difficult putting names to them. So when everyone came in we gave them labels."

She said there was much exchanging of recollections of school days - with lively tales of past pupils and staff.

She added: "Since we have all left school we haven't had the opportunity to see each other. It was just nice to get in touch and catch up.

"We all grew up together in this community and back then we had a very strong community spirit.

"I suppose a little bit of that came back on the night.

"We have all taken different courses in life, but the fact we were all able to come together and enjoy each other's company was very special."

Loraine Ludbrook and Dolcie Obhiozele helped organise the event.

Mrs Obhiozele, 50, a youth worker from Wolvercote, said many people would keep in touch because of the reunion.

She said: "When everyone came in we just heard people screaming.

"They were hugging each other as they realised who everyone was.

"We had fun remembering the pranks we used to play on the teachers. Everyone would be put in detention because no one would own up to it!"