A former Hampshire schoolgirl has launched a global search in a bid to track down her old classmates for a long-awaited reunion. 

Lorraine Prest is arranging a get together at The Happy Cheese in Ashurst this summer for the class of 1981 from Hounsdown School. 

She's hoping to bring together dozens of the old pals pictured for the event, which will take place on Saturday July 27 from 7pm. 

It was in September 1976 that as 11 years olds most of this group walked or cycled nervously up Jacobs Gutter Lane for the first time to start on five years of secondary education.

New friendships were born, some remained long term, others as lives changed and progressed were lost, until now.

Many pupils are proving tricky to track down due to moving away from the area or names changes due to marriage.

Anyone who would like to go along, should contact Lorraine on 07807 607568, by email at Louprest@btinternet.com or on Facebook.