THE balloon went up in Barton a thousand times as "save our school" campaigners celebrated a victory over education chiefs in August 1984.

Campaign committee members got together to celebrate by blowing up 1,000 balloons which they released in the school grounds.

It followed a night of victory parties after a vote by county councillors to save Barton Village First School from closure.

The school would have been merged with Bernwood First School.

The campaigners had planned to release 9,000 balloons but they said only four members of the 12-strong committee were sober enough to make a start on the big blow.

Campaign leader Julie Thomas said they had blown up the balloons by mouth because no-one could find a pump.

They only found the strength to inflate 1,000 of them - but it was still enough for youngsters to have a great time.

Mrs Thomas added: "As we left the council my daughter asked if this means the end of all the letter writing, the telephoning and the meetings."