PUPILS from Rillington Primary School have commemorated the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War with a moving project involving members of the local community.

The school has created poems, artwork and stories looking at the experiences of soldiers and their families during the conflict,

Headteacher Sally Lidgley, said the children had given a deep insight into how the war effected people, their families and the local community.

"They showed a massive amount of empathy and transported themselves back to the lives of some of the soldiers," she added.

"The pupils did it in a very respectful and meaningful way."

Mrs Lidgley said the children had created a display at St Andrew's Church in Rillington including poppies made in different mediums.

"To mark the end of the project we held a Remembrance service involving the whole school as well as parents, friends and the local community at which some of the pupils read out their work," she added.

"It was a wonderful and very moving experience."

As part of the service members of Ryedale Family History Group presented a copy of the recently published Rillington War Memorial book to the Parish.

Year Six pupils also gave guided tours of the church to members of the public explaining how the display was created.

Mrs Lidgley said that they had received numerous comments from people saying how much they had enjoyed the service and display.

"The school has been fortunate to work with the community to show their achievements and also link the First World War with the present day," she added.

"A large part of the service was also to do with peace and the reason people died so that we could have peace today."

Rillington Primary School's First World War project will be on display in the village hall until the end of November.