ST MARY’S College, in Crosby, welcomed back one of its most famous former pupils as the VIP guest at its annual dinner.

Former BBC director-general Lord John Birt was the main speaker at the third reunion organised by the Friends of St Mary’s, the organisation for ex-pupils, parents, governors and staff of the school, which is 90 years old this year.

Around 200 people attended the event at the Marriott Hotel, in Liverpool, including 96-year-old Colonel J Graeme “Paddy” Bryson, from Hightown.

Colonel Bryson was the special guest at the St Mary’s prize-giving ceremony in 1963, the year Lord Birt left the school.

In fact, 1963 was a vintage year for St Mary’s with Lord Birt’s classmates including Vincent Nichols and Ivor Roberts.

Most Rev Vincent Nichols was appointed as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England this year, while Sir Ivor Roberts is a former British Ambassador to Italy.

Other special guests included six of the seven Murphy brothers, from Bootle, who were all educated at the school, and travelled from all parts of the UK to attend.