Former Langleybury School friends will celebrate life beginning at 40 by reuniting with old pupils from the class of 1989.

Paul Burroughs, who graduated that year, has organised a reunion to take place next month to rekindle memories with school friends and mark the year they all turn 40.

Mr Burroughs began organising the occasion four months ago and said it was the prospect of reaching the milestone in April that prompted him.

He said: "I have always wanted to organise a reunion and was planning to do it next year to mark 25 years since leaving school.

"However as we were all approaching our milestone I thought ‘why not do it this year and celebrate together?’ "I enjoyed school and I haven’t seen most people’s faces since our last school exam. That day we went in our own different ways. "

So far Mr Burrroughs, who now lives in Garston, has managed to get 153 people on board via the social networking site Facebook.

Ex-pupils living as far away as Australia have shown an interest and online reminiscing has included favourite teachers, scary teachers and a free school trip to Portsmouth, which Mr Burroughs said turned "into a jolly".

"We have got most people," he added. "But it would be nice to find Charlie Thow and Darren Bunce - he was a popular guy and I haven’t seen him for a while."

"As well as pupils Mr Burroughs is also keen to trace former teachers at the school.

The area sales manager said: "I remember Mr Hennah. He was our scariest teacher. He had the moustache, presence and power that you feared. It would be good to see him now."

Among other the teachers Mr Burroughs said he would like to trace are his sociology teacher, Mr Breslin, his science and physics teacher, Mr Rawcliffe and sports teachers Mr Woods, Mr Nasland and Mr Harris.

Langleybury School, in Langleybury Lane, closed in 1996 and currently stands empty.

When asked about his favourite school memories Mr Burroughs, a father of three, spoke of the mansion located on the school site near a farm.

He said: "I have fond memories of the school mansion, which everyone used to say was haunted.

"It was a really nice old building and there was rumours going around that it had a secret tunnel.

"The mansion was next to a farm and I will never forget that horrendous smell from the cows.

"It’s a smell you would never get used to."

The reunion will take place in the Kings Head pub, Hunton Bridge on July 13 from 7pm promising drinks and a BBQ. For more information or to join the reunion visit Facebook group Langleyburyreunionclassof1989.

Mr Burroughs added: "It will be strange to see everyone, recognising faces and remembering names.

"I am pleased to see lots of people have shown an interest and hopefully people turn up.

"I am looking forward to catching up and having a laugh with some old faces."