CHILDREN, staff, parents and governors at two Watford schools were "sad" to see them close on Thursday, July 21.

Lea Farm Junior and Garston Infants school, which stand on the same site in Fourth Avenue, Garston, will merge with Meriden Primary to form Berrygrove Primary and Nursery School, which is opening in September.

The junior and infants school have been marking the closure of their institutions over the past month with a number of events.

On Saturday, July 16, the Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) organised a celebration day for children and families.

The children were entertained with bouncy castles, trampolines, circus acts, a puppet show, a fire eater, a stilt walker, face painting and candy floss.

Later in the week, more than 50 children took part in a musical evening for parents and at the final assembly a cake was cut to say goodbye to the schools.

Retiring headteacher, Jenny Graham, said: "Although we are all sad that the schools are closing we have had a lot of fun during the last month.

"I am particularly delighted with the Year Book, which is the result of a great deal of hard work by staff and parents.

"It will be a book to treasure as a photographic record of all the activities that have taken place in the last year."

A party was held at the beginning of July for present and former staff of the school, governors and members of the PTAs.

Meriden Primary School also celebrated more than 40 years in existence with a reunion earlier in July at which more than 300 balloons bearing the name of pupils were released.

An estimated 300 former staff and pupils watched them before enjoying a barbecue and dancing.