Bafta for Grange Hill

It has proved to be one of the most popular and long-running television dramas for children of recent years.

Now past and present members of the cast of Grange Hill, including Gwyneth Powell who played the formidable headteacher Mrs McCluskey for over a decade, have been reunited after the BBC drama, on our screens for the last 23 years, scooped a children's Bafta award.

The programme won special praise at this year's British Academy Children's Film and Television Awards, and although the awards ceremony is not until this Sunday, the cast did not want to wait to celebrate their recognition, the first time the show has won a Bafta.

The academy allowed a number of former cast members to get their hands on the award early at their old home in BBC Elstree before the main event at the London Hilton. Ms Powell was joined by Lee MacDonald, better known as Zammo McGuire, the pupil who became hooked on heroine and provided one of the programme's most hard-hitting and controversial storylines.

Also present was Rene Zagger, who played Mike Bentley, the school's star athlete. MacDonald now runs his own locksmith company while Zagger now stars in The Bill.

One of the stars of the current series, Charlie McDonagh, who plays the outspoken Lisa West, joined the older hands to claim the award.

Details of winners in the other Bafta children's categories will not be released until Sunday.