BARRY girls who went to the first ever classes at Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School got together last week.

And after 22 years, they celebrated both their 40th birthdays and the reunion in style at the Mount Sorrel Hotel on Saturday night.

The get-together was the brainchild of former Bryn Hafren student Sara Ball and a couple of her old school mates, Christine Sales, (nee Mitchel) and Phillippa Bates, (nee Daniels).

Sara, a civil servant in Companies House said: "A friend of mine, Nerys Avery, was leaving for China and we wanted to set a date to make sure she'd come back and visit. And, as we all turned 40 this year, this seemed the perfect time."

It took eight months to organise, but the date was set for Saturday, April 27.

Sara added: "Apart from finding the right venue and date, we had the task of contacting absent friends. The website 'Friends Reunited' was a huge help.

"It was a fantastic success. Two people from Australia came, and Nerys made it back from China. It was great to catch-up with everyone. There was no music, the noise of everyone talking would have drowned it out."

All Sara's hard work paid off. Over 120 ex-pupils turned up to the sit-down buffet. Starting at 7.30pm, the gossip went on to 1.30am. She said: "Two teachers who married each other turned up. Carol Clarke, our drama teacher and Gareth Evans who taught history and geography sent a note on Monday saying what a wonderful night it was."

Everyone who went to the reunion wrote their name and address in a book.

Sara added: "Hopefully, photos will be put onto a website for people to have a look. And if anyone wants to get in touch with old friends, e-mail me at sball@companieshouse.gov.uk and I can give them the details."