IT was one big party when ex-pupils of the Wycombe Technical Institute gathered together for a group 70th birthday.

Lady Pamela Goodwin, 70, was praised all round for her wonderful efforts in tracking down more than 50 of her old school pals.

"To think that the last time they were all together like that would have been back in 1947. It was an amazing achievement keeping track of these people in today's fast world," said her husband, Lord Charles, 73.

Pensioners travelled from as far afield as Florida and Germany to catch up with their old pals at the Posthouse Hotel last Friday.

They were barely teenagers when they came from all over the area to the Wycombe Technical Institute in Easton Street, High Wycombe, in the 1940s.

A wonderful afternoon was had by ex-pupils who looked through old school photographs and enjoyed dinner, drinks and music.

Lady Goodwin delighted everyone when she produced a king-size birthday cake for everyone to enjoy.

"It was truly incredible seeing these older people together holding pictures of themselves when they were young and swapping stories about who had a crush on who," said Lord Charles.

"Everyone had the time of their life, and nobody was in the mood for leaving when it all came to an end," said Lady Pamela.