THEY arrived - sometimes as babes in arms - with sad stories to tell.

Some came from a life of poverty, others had lost their parents.

When they arrived at an imposing Victorian house in the middle of nowhere, many looked upon it with trepidation.

But for many youngsters, Crowthorn Children's Home at Edgworth, was to be their new home and the staff, their new family.

Over the years, hundreds of children have been through the doors. And in July what is now known as Crowthorn School, will close - taking with it the memories of generations.

At the weekend, many of those youngsters, now grown up and with families of their own, returned to bid an emotional farewell. More than 200 former pupils and staff, many of whom had travelled from other parts of the country, attended the reunion.

The weekend of events included a special religious service in which a plaque was dedicated to the staff, pupils and friends of the school and former children's home.

It will be placed at Edgworth Methodist Church as a permanent tribute to Crowthorn which was the first National Children's Home to be built outside of London in 1872.

NCH Action for Children had to take the decision to close Crowthorn, which became a residential school in 1952, because of its remote location and a shortage of teaching staff.

Year 11 pupil Shaun Wilde, aged 15, is one of only six youngsters left at the school and had prepared booklets on its history to hand out to visitors.

He said: "It seems strange without everybody being here, but it's been good for getting on with my work."

Acting head Mike Fahy who has been teaching at Crowthorn for 17 years, said: "A year ago was an emotional time because we didn't know what was going to happen.

"Now I feel a real sense of achievement after all the children have moved on."

Betty Maddison, aged 79, attended the reunion with her brother Alf. They were both brought up in the children's home after being born into the poverty of the 1920s North-east slums.

Mrs Maddison said: "This is a very sad reunion and I feel mixed emotions.

"Crowthorn made a big impression on my life and I have happy memories, but they were also hard times."

Ivy French, aged 87, arrived at Crowthorn aged one with her sister from inner city Liverpool after their father was killed in the First World War and their mother could not cope with caring for six children.

She said: "I've always classed this as my home because I didn't know anywhere else.

"I was the youngest ever child to be brought here. It was a marvellous place."