WHEN headteacher Huw Evans stepped off the train to Swindon in 1968, he admits he almost stepped right back on.

The man from rural Wales was taken aback by Swindon's bustling station, but he plucked up his courage and is now celebrating 30 years at Watchfield Primary School.

Mr Evans was appointed deputy head in 1973 and became head in 1976.

Parents and pupils went out of their way to make sure his 30th anniversary was a day to remember.

It started at 10am when a chauffeur driven vintage Rolls-Royce turned up at his doorstep to escort him into the school, which was decked out with bunting.

He joined all of the school's 360 children for a special assembly looking back at his time at the school, which included songs and poems performed Mr Evans' native language Welsh.

He was presented with a cake measuring two feet by two feet with the name of every pupil, staff member and adult helper at the school a total of 403 and presents including garden furniture and a framed picture of the school.

He said: "It has been an incredible day, absolutely amazing, so much thought has been put into it.

"I have a real affection for the school, it's a love story."