Roger Davy was just eight years old when he was handed the book The Voyage of Discovery – his prize for being courteous to fellow pupils at Moorfield School.

But it obviously stood him in great stead as he went on to run a family textile business, earned himself a career on Ilkley Urban Council and served on the magistrates bench for more than 30 years.

The well-known figure from Ilkley was just one of the old boys to return to Moorfield School during an open day to mark its 80th birthday.

He was joined by Mary Heathcote, also a pupil during the 1940s, who is known for her work for the Macmillan cancer charity.

The independent school on Ben Rhydding Road was founded in 1930 in a family home in West View and became an all-girls school in 1989.

Other star pupils have included best-selling author Jilly Cooper and young actress Georgie Henley, who recently played Lucy in the big screen adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia series of books.

Birthday celebrations have included a party and a giant tile mosaic of endangered turtles to mark its eco status.

Headteacher Jessica Crossley said: “We had a wonderful turnout and it was fascinating to hear all their stories about school life here at Moorfield in the early days.

“It was a great opportunity for them all to meet after so many years and have a good old catch-up.”