A STRANDED head teacher made it back from Spain with just over an hour to spare for Hawkchurch Primary School s 50th anniversary.

A STRANDED head teacher made it back from Spain with just over an hour to spare for Hawkchurch Primary School's 50th anniversary.

Cliff Seabrook had been due to return from his holiday in Malaga on Saturday, April 17. But his flight was banned following the Icelandic volcano eruption.

He paid an extra �200 to travel via Amsterdam to get back to the school on Wednesday, April 22 - just in time for anniversary celebrations.

He said: "I was cutting it a bit fine. I was very glad to be back in time.

"It was very chaotic in Malaga with the lack of information and flights being cancelled all the time. It was quite an adventure, but a bit stressful to get back - and I didn't want to miss the anniversary.

"I thought it was quite likely I wouldn't make it, but, luckily, everything just came together."

Last week thousands of passengers were stranded across Europe because a cloud of volcanic ash covered the UK.

Mr Seabrook was fortunate that he did not have to pay extra for his accommodation as the owner of the property did not charge extra.

The school celebrated the reopening of the school in 1960, after the original building had burned down in 1947, with a rededication service in the church.

The reverend Rosemary Bragg and the Bishop of Sherborne, Dr Graham Kings, visited the school, and a tree was planted to mark the occasion.

Former pupils attended and there an exhibition of old photos was displayed.

Mr Seabrook said: "The day was very successful and enjoyed by everyone.