Pupils of Fulneck School re-enacted the arrival of the first pupils at the historic Moravian settlement in 1753.

Dressed in period costumes, the nursery and junior school pupils formed a procession to mark the 250th anniversary of the school.

Two shire horses pulled a cart full of waving children, books and bedding and the youngsters were met by the school's junior choir who sang outside the church.

The procession marched between Fulneck school and the Moravian church in the grounds and culminated in a special Moravian ceremony, known as "The Children's Love Feast".

Following the Movarian tradition, females sat on one side of the church and males at the other.

The Moravian Church was established more than 500 years ago and originates from the Czech region.

Moravians first came to settle in Britain in the 1730s and the church can now be found in five regions across Great Britain.

Fulneck School is one of only two private schools belonging to the church in the UK today.

Honeree Gordon, principal of Fulneck, said: "Moravians were very enlightened for their time and believed in education being fun and entertaining and were the first to use visual aids as a method of teaching. They attempted to engage children in education and our school is still run on the same principle."

The procession was a re-enactment of the Moravian Boys' School's move from Smith House, Lighcliffe, to more spacious accommodation at the newly established settlement of Fulneck, on May 3, 1753.

The weary but excited group of boys made their way to Pudsey through the Tong Valley followed by a procession of horse-drawn carts with Moravian Brethren guiding them on their journey.

"This is a very important part of the school's history and we were very proud to be putting on an event like this, the children have worked very hard and have been incredibly excited," said Robert Lilley, Head of the Junior School.

Former pupils of the school also attended the event.

Famous former pupils of Fulneck include actress Diana Rigg, Prime Minister Herbert Asquith and factory reformer Richard Oastler.