Soldiers from a North Yorkshire village who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War have been remembered by a new generation eager to pay their respects.

Fifty seven men from Easingwold died during the bloody campaign between 1914 and 1918, leaving a lasting hole in the hearts and minds of the families they left behind.

Their names will forever be remembered on the village's war memorial, which pays tribute to the men who lost their lives in the trenches, but it is the village's youngsters who have made the effort to keep them alive in spirit.

Children from Easingwold Primary School were each given the name of a fallen soldier, and laid a poppy at the foot of the memorial, inscribed with his name, to mark 100 years since the start of the Great War.

Pupil Phoenix Woolnough, 11, said: "It's important to remember these men because they fought for us.

"It made me feel a bit sad to think about everybody that died."

Elizabeth Harker, five, of the school's council, added: "I really enjoyed it and it made me remember the soldiers who died in the war."

Children were asked to take part in the service by the Royal British Legion in a bid to encourage youngsters to learn more about the great sacrifices made during the war, in the hope their efforts will never be forgotten.

Headteacher Irene Marwood said the children are using the service as a starting point for a new school project about the war in the autumn.

"It was a poignant service and the children were very moved by it all," added Mrs Marwood.

"Making this personal with the names really gave them a feeling they were representing someone who was from this area and sadly lost their life."

Cllr Shirley Shepherd, mayor of Easingwold and vice chairman of Easingwold Royal British Legion, believes services like this ensure children will never forget the soldiers who never returned home.

She said: "It's happening in quite a few places around the country, but this is very special for children to come to the monument and think about the person on their poppy.

"Children need to remember what happened a long time ago, and they will remember because of days like this."