More than 1,000 people have attended a special Mass to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of a Catholic secondary school in Essex.
The Mass at St John Payne school in Chelmsford was celebrated by Bishop Thomas McMahon of Brentwood.

The bishop was assisted by a large number of diocesan clergy, as well as Prior Hugh Allan O Praem of St Phillip’s Priory and Abbot Martin Shipperlee OSB of Ealing Abbey, a former pupil at the school.

Also present at the Mass were Simon Burns, the minister of state for the Department of Health and John Petre, 18th Baron Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex.