MOST schools mark special occasions with a snap of pupils and staff in a traditional line-up.

But one school came up with something just a little bit different.

All 306 youngsters at Benfield Junior School in Old Shoreham Road, Portslade, posed for their birthday picture in the shape of a giant number 50.

And the only way they could all be fitted into the frame was by taking the shot from above.

Ahelicopter was brought in to make sure the cameraman could get high enough above the school's playground to take the shot.

The kids even had to give up their daily game of football on the school playground so the markings showing where they had to stand would not be rubbed off.

Head teacher Ann Gilham, said: "The children were very excited about the helicopter coming and they didn't realise it was going to be so noisy.

"The playground was just large enough for the helicopter to land in.

"Unfortunately, the children couldn't fly in it but I am sure will never forget the visit. They all loved the experience. "

The helicopter photo is just one of a number of events to mark the school's half century.

It was opened on May 13, 1949, and the then Minister for Education, George Tomlinson, was one of the specially invited guests.

The original architects' drawings date from before the World War Two, but funds were not availble for the building work to be completed until much later.

Children cannot celebrate on the actual 50th anniversary day tomorrow because they will be sitting tests. But more events are being planned for July.

Mrs Gilham now wants to hear from local people who went to the school so they can visit and talk to children about how they remember it.

She is also keen to collect more old photos and memorabilia for a special summer exhibition.

She said: "It would be really interesting for the children to be able to talk to former pupils.

"The school buildings are basically the same as 50 years ago, but there have been many internal changes.

"Today, computers are very important and we are just about to open a new computer suite with 12 new PCs."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.