A TASTY tradition dating back over half a century will be continued next week at a school near Tenbury Wells.

The youngest pupil in the preparatory department of Abberley Hall School in Great Witley will mark the festive season by carrying a Christmas pudding into the school dining room on December 12.

This will be the 53rd year that the end-of-term custom has been observed the school.

"Our former headmaster Ronnie Yates introduced this fun ceremony back in 1961 when he asked the youngest child in our prep department to dress in a chef's outfit and bring in the pudding to the annual Christmas feast," explained Victoria Beswick, head of marketing at Abberley Hall School.

"It became a much-loved tradition which is now continued at the school every year. It is a special touch which rounds off the meal and the autumn term well and all the children and staff really enjoy seeing the pudding arrive in style,'" she added.

This year seven-year-old Miles Herron will don a chef's hat and apron for the Christmas pudding ceremony.

There are a range of other festive celebrations at Abberley Hall School, which educates around 300 children aged from three to 13.

They include school nativity productions as well as an 'evening of light' featuring lanterns, refreshments and entertainment for all the family.

In addition two traditional carol services will be held next week in the baroque church at Great Witley when the school's chapel choir sing carols from the early 13th century to the present day.