Truro Cathedral Old Choristers Association "went down in the world" when Polwhele House School, on the city outskirts, hosted their annual dinner for the first time.

The lower level related to the height of the chairs and tables - designed for children up to the age of 13 - rather than the food, service and location, which were all hailed highly successful.

The association decided to break with the convention of meeting in an hotel and opted instead for Polwhele, which enjoys strong links with the cathedral as the school attended by its choristers.

Headmaster Mr Jo Mason initially expressed reservations when approached, but the association assured him the lower level furniture would be no problem.

As a result, the school hall was transformed into a restaurant for the evening, with the tables and chairs brought in from classrooms, and with outside caterers serving a four-course meal to 56 old choristers aged up to 90.

"The proof of the pudding was in the eating, as they say, and everyone was so pleased with it all that they immediately booked' the school for the same occasion again next year," said Mr Mason.

He added: "The setting produced a great atmosphere for them and it was clearly a resounding success. The seats and tables were a good 15 centimetres lower than adults are used to, but so far as we know no-one was any stiffer or the worse for wear after lowering themselves in this fashion!"