FORMER college staff gathered at their old place of work to say farewell to a building that holds 40 years of memories.

The reunion of 70 ex-employees at Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College marked four decades of education at the Fenton site.

After reminiscing over a luncheon buffet yesterday, they enjoyed a last tour of the building before the college moves to a new £33 million campus in Stoke's new University Quarter in September.

The current college started life as Fenton College and was the first purpose-built sixth form institution in the country.

It was opened by former Prime Minister Harold Wilson in September 1970 and was meant to accommodate 770 sixth formers from grammar schools.

That figure has now risen to 1,700 students.

Former caretaker, Jim Chamberlain, aged 70, from Abbey Hulton, said: "I applied for a job as a window cleaner at Hanley Town Hall, but they offered me the caretaker role at this new college.

"I was a bit daunted by it at first. I remember starting in April as it was still being built.

"We had to get all the furniture in and prepare for the grand opening.

"The security was very tight and we stayed in the college all night beforehand.

"I was in a team of three caretakers and we had to keep the coal boilers burning and secure the building every day.

"It took about an hour-and-a-half to get round the whole college locking all the windows and doors."

And the caretaker gradually received more responsibilities.

He said: "I actually had to go back to college myself to learn basic plumbing.

"I got to know a lot of the staff, students, and principals, though I liked some more than others."

Former drama teacher and current project manager Derek Poulson, aged 58, is due to retire next year.

He said: "I arrived at the college in 1981 from London.

"I was met by the warmest group of people I have ever encountered.

"There are lots of stories in these walls.

"The place holds many happy memories, particularly the shows, concerts and musicals we put on in the theatre.

"I am so thankful for all the comradeship, companionship and education this college has given me.

"I'm sad we are leaving behind all these years of memories, but I'm welcoming the exciting new college that awaits us."

Steve Murfin is director of finance and part of the senior management team that runs the college.

He said: "I've worked here for 12 years, even though I initially only came here as a stop gap between jobs.

"I was bitten by the bug of the place and I decided to stay.

"Things have changed a lot over the years, but our new building is such an exciting opportunity for all the staff and students.

"It's a state-of-the-art building and hopefully we will be able to carry the unique atmosphere from our old building into this new space."

When the college vacates the building later this year, the site will be used for the new St Peter's Academy, which is due to open in September 2013.

The academy is part of the Building Schools for the Future project and will replace the current St Peter's and Berry Hill high schools.