Hair could only be washed once a week, there was no heating and lights had to be out by 7.30pm.

BYGONE DAYS: Present pupils show the way things were. Elizabeth Wraight give her hair the permitted weekly wash, while Charlotte Drummond reads an Enid Blyton novel

And heaven help those who scraped their chairs at meal times or stopped to talk to anyone during Sunday walks.

It might sound like a harsh regime, but these were once the rules at a North Yorkshire private girls' school.

Now that times have changed, Harrogate Ladies College is keen to shake off this old Enid Blyton image of boarding school life.

The college has published its previously strict regulations in the run up to its taster weekend on October 16 and 17, to show how things have improved.

In days gone by pupils were only allowed into the spa town 12 times and year, and had to be in uniform.

Each pupil had to write home every Sunday and phone calls were limited to one a week.

They slept on iron beds with hair mattresses and were allowed to bathe just three times a week.

Deputy head David Andrews said: "We think it's about time we dispelled the Enid Blyton image forever.

"Boarding schools in the new Millennium will provide a great education, as well as a social life, recreational activities, sport, music and, as always, friendships made for life."

Girls attending the college in the present day can expect to enjoy warm, comfortable bedrooms for one, two or three, private showers and Internet and e-mail access as well as private studies for sixth- formers and a wide choice of menus at mealtimes.

On the academic side, the school is ranked 117 in the national Independent Schools First Division.

Staff at the college compiled the rules from the school's archives and also relied on the memories of former pupils.

This also revealed that when workmen were building an extension to the library 30 years ago, the girls were banned from looking at them and the workmen had to keep their shirts on despite the hot weather.

Anyone interested in sampling the new relaxed regime should attend the college's free taster weekend.

To find out more call the college on 01423 504543 or visit its website at www.hlc.org.uk

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