WE go back more than 23 years for this week s Days of the Old School Yard. It was not quite Ascot, but as far as these East Ham youngsters were concerned their hats are the tops. They were judged as the best bonnets at Vicarage Lane Infants School s East

WE go back more than 23 years for this week's Days of the Old School Yard.

It was not quite Ascot, but as far as these East Ham youngsters were concerned their hats are the tops.

They were judged as the best bonnets at Vicarage Lane Infants' School's Easter parade in East Ham.

And it earned the winners a prize Easter egg each.

Back then, every year the three-to-seven-year-olds competed to see whose bonnet is best.

They were joined by teachers and parents who mounted their own processions around the school hall in appropriate head gear.

After singing songs the children were treated to a story from East Ham librarian Cheryl Stephens.

"This has become quite a tradition in the years since I've been here," said the then head teacher Stanley Craig. "It makes a lovely afternoon and everyone goes away with an Easter egg."

The winning trio (let to right) back in 1986 were Andrew Mason, seven; Debbie Birmingham, six and Liam Faulkner, five.