MARLING old boys will bid for a plank of history when a piece of the school's Long Corridor goes under the hammer.

The historic building was demolished last year to make way for new modern facilities costing some £3.7 million.

However, some last remaining parts will be auctioned at the annual old boys' dinner to raise money for the school.

Head teacher Dr Stuart Wilson said: “We know that lots of old boys are very fond of the long corridor but we also knew that very little of it was salvageable.

“We managed to save a few old planks of wooden cladding and felt that a gathering of of Marling old boys would be an ideal opportunity to offer a piece of the wood for auction.”

Finished in 1921, the corridor originally housed the school’s chemistry labs and was only supposed to act as a temporary solution until purpose-built buildings could be erected.

But well over 90 years later the wooden structure was still standing and it has come to occupy a special place in the hearts of Marling old boys.

Jon Close, president of the Old Marlingtonians' Association, said: "It a huge unifying factor in the memories of all old boys.

“We have all had experiences of the old ceiling falling onto our desks, cricket balls flying through the window from the square or tapping out Morse Code on the old radiator pipes during maths lessons.”

The Old Marlingtonians' Association plans to run tours of the new building with work expected to be completed on the structure later this year.

This year's dinner will also feature a speech by former Marling pupil Peter Evans, who went on to become home affairs correspondent of The Times for 30 years.

“The point is that we get together to have a laugh, enjoy the company of old mates and have a trip down memory lane - it’s always entertaining," said Mr Close.

The dinner and auction takes place at Marling School on Saturday, April 26.

It is open to all former pupils and staff.

For more details go to www.marling.gloucs.sch.uk/upcoming-oma-events/