'THE school with a bright future' was the hashtag for the largest ever event in a Barrow school's history.

St Pius X Catholic School held its first ever festival 'Pius Calling' on Friday evening with the whole community turning out to show its support.

It was a jam packed event filled with entertainment - from local musicians to a star-studded headliner from Anna Willison-Holt who appeared on The Voice 2018.

The event was being run to raise money for a school minibus and to help the wider community engage with the school.

Headteacher Kevin McGoldrick said: "The tickets sold out immediately -we had to extend tickets sales twice it was so popular.

"This is the biggest event the school has ever done and it is great for the rest of the community to see what the school has to offer.

"The event is being run to raise money for a school minibus to help get the children out in the community more.

"I couldn't thank the Friends of St Pius more for all the hard work that they've done to put this on - they have made it a success."

Dan Webber, one member of The Friends of St Pius said: "This has been a great way to engage the wider community and the kids have absolutely loved it.

"It has helped to bring the school, parents and community together.

"Never do you find school events as large as this and much of it is down to the work of Mr McGoldrick.

"The work he has done in the last two years has really helped the school turn in the right direction with his new vision for the school - it was just a great event with a great turn out."

Naomi Sargent, another member of The Friends of St Pius said: "It has been an amazing turn out and hopefully this can go a long way to getting a minibus for the children."

The event was supported by a variety of local sponsors that included: GBM, Fudstock, Steeles, Barrow Eats, Parsons, Denby & Co, Cumbria School Uniforms, Clean Wright, Lake District Farmers and Ocean Construction.