A WINCHESTER school has closed its girls’ boarding house after 61 years.

Former boarders at The Westgate School returned to Rotherly Boarding House on July 21 for a barbecue before it is redeveloped as part of a new primary school.

A picture designed by this year’s boarders was presented to Kathryn Marshall, Westgate deputy headteacher, containing the names of many of the girls who lived there between 1952 and 2013.

Ms Marshall said: “I’m really proud of the contribution boarding girls and staff have made to Westgate life, and we’ll treasure the picture and all the memories always.”

The new primary will make The Westgate the county’s first ‘superschool’ for four-16-year-olds.