A SPARKLING celebration took place to mark the diamond jubilee of a Port Glasgow school.

Two bishops and a canon presided over a special mass at St Michael's Primary to mark its 60th anniversary, with pupils, staff and parents, past and present, in attendance.

The Bridgend Avenue building actually opened in 1964 but the school itself dates back to '58.

Former chaplain, Bishop Brian McGee, who is originally from Greenock, was invited back for the service and was joined by Inverclyde's bishop, John Keenan, from the Diocese of Paisley, and Canon David Cotter, parish priest at Holy Family Church.

The celebratory mass was held on Monday - the anniversary of the school building official opening on May 21, 1964.

Head teacher Colette Wallace, who has been in charge for four years, said: "It was a beautiful service and we were delighted Bishop Brian was able to come back to celebrate with us along with Bishop John and Canon David.

"There's a real sense of pride within our community for St Michael's and people always want to come back and we saw that with people queued up here for mass.

"This is a special occasion for the school.

"It's a great privilege to be head teacher."

Prior to 1958, pupils attended what was then known as 'The Monk School', named after the former Royal Navy barracks, HMS Monck, in Parkhill.

That same year, some children moved to the newly-opened Holy Family School and the remainder became students of St Michael's Primary, who would move into their own building six years later.

Among the guests at the diamond jubilee event were Provost Martin Brennan, Councillor Robert Moran and Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe, who is a former pupil.

Afterwards, there was tea, coffee and home baking in the gym hall.

Bishop McGee, who has been in charge of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles since 2016, said: "It was a great pleasure to be invited along after two years and meeting the children, staff and families to celebrate all that the school has achieved.

"A lot of good has been achieved in 60 years academically, in sport, drama and music but rooted in faith and to love God and love other people and that love shining here in the middle of Port Glasgow is a wonderful thing."