FONDLY know as the Daffodil School because of the stunning display of bright yellow blooms in its grounds each springtime, a special and historic place of learning is planning an open day ahead of its closure.

After a proud record of achievement over the past 76 years, Hamblett School, opened in 1929 as an open-air establishment for delicate children, closes its doors to its 63 pupils for the last time on March 18th. But ahead of this on Wednesday, March 2nd, the Rainford Road school will stage its farewell open day, welcoming visitors between 10am and noon and from 1pm to 3pm.

A warm invitation has gone out to all, including former pupils and their families, ex-members of staff and friends and neighbours of the school.

From its specific open-air beginnings, the school has evolved over the years in making provision for children with physical or medical conditions as well as, latterly, autistic spectrum disorders.

A new chapter opens when the school merges in early April with the 140-pupil Hurst School, St Helens, at the new state of the art Lansbury Bridge School which has taken shape on the site of the recently demolished Parr High School.