Students paraded in medieval costume to celebrate their school’s birthday.

Pupils and staff from Lewes Old Grammar School marched down the town’s high street yesterday to mark their 500th year.

The school can trace its origins back to the reign of King Henry VIII and students created a timeline of period costumes and banners from the past five centuries.

Crowds gathered as girls dressed as medieval maidens while boys dressed as town criers with feathered hats.

Afterwards the 600 schoolchildren gathered for a giant picnic on the playing fields with entertainment and games.

In the morning, before the procession set off, a ceremony was held to open new classrooms and a science laboratory at Mead House.

The parade was one of a series of events being held to mark the half-millennium milestone. In January there was a fireworks display at Lewes Castle and in March pupils staged a festival at Glyndebourne Opera house.

Headmaster Robert Blewitt said: “Throughout its history Lewes Old Grammar School has sought to broaden the educational experience of its students.

This occasion celebrated the richness of the school’s 500-year history.”