PLANS to set up an astronomy club at Rickmansworth Masonic School have been given a substantial boost with the gift of a state of the arts telescope.

The gift was presented by the South West Herts Astronomical Society as a thankyou for the school allowing members to use its planetarium for regular meetings for more than 35 years.

"Your school is probably the only one in the country lucky enough to have its own astronomical planetarium, a unique and valuable facility both for the school and for our society," said chairman of the society, Graham Marett, when future stargazers lined up for the presentation in front of the distinct building beside the school's science block.

The society has had a closer relationship with the school since Claire Adby took over as head of science last year.

"I had no idea how to work the planetarium and turned to the astronomical society for help," she said.

This in turn led to the society's planetarium guide, Richard Westwood, giving talks to the school and the idea for an astronomy club as some of the girls expressed a keen interest in the subject which is also useful in other studies like religion and history.

The society welcomes visitors and new members. It will be running a short series of introductory classes on basic astronomy at the British Legion in Rickmansworth in September. For further details contact Graham Marett on 01923 776159, or visit the society's website at www.swhas.org.uk http://www.swhas.org.uk>