A SERIES of evocative black and white photographs taken by a teacher in the 1970s attracted more than 100 former pupils, staff and townspeople to an exhibition.

Former Riverside School science teacher George Plemper took a series of photographs at the school in Yarnton Way, Thamesmead, between 1976 and 1978.

Last month, an exhibition of the photos, Now and Then - School Days Through a Lens, was staged at the academy over four days.

The exhibition was put on with help from community organisation Trust Thamesmead and the Bexley Business Academy, which was built on the Riverside site.

Lots of those who turned up had the chance to meet old friends, swap addresses and reminisce about their schooldays at Riverside.

Trust Thamesmead chairman Jackie Smith said: "George's photos captured a moment in time, but also showed us how children have not really changed much at all."

Many of the former pupils still live in Thamesmead and either work at the academy or have children who are pupils there.

Mark Reardon, a Riverside pupil from 1973 to 1978, was one of those at the exhibition.

He now works as a play supervisor at the academy, following an accident while working in the building trade.

Mr Reardon said: "I cannot remember George taking the group photo, where I am standing with a girl on each arm.

"George asked me tonight what I had, to have a girl on each arm, both of whom I dated."

He added: "I said it was easy to see. I was the best-looking boy in the picture."

Athimoulla Chapman, Maria Sigler and Karen Stringer were in the first-ever class at Riverside and organised a boat trip to mark their last year at the school.

Mrs Chapman said: "I still keep in touch with six or seven people I went to school with.

"We are all doing different things and all have grown-up children, but we make time for an annual holiday together."

Mrs Stringer works at the academy as a cover teacher.

Also there was Riverside form tutor Liz Stratton.

She said: "Because I have been teaching in Thamesmead since the 1970s, I am now teaching the children of the children I taught 30 years ago."

To see the photographs, go to flickr.com/photos/7718785@N06/sets/72157600401357917/