HUNDREDS of North Yorkshire Armed Forces’ children gathered for a special First World War commemoration.

Children from 30 of the county’s schools took part in the service at Ripon Cathedral, which was led by military chaplains from RAF Leeming, 21 Engineers Regiment and Canon Elizabeth Sewell.

The children are members of HMS Heroes, a national, pupil-led organisation supported by the Royal British Legion that looks to raise the profile of service children and the unique challenges of being part of a military family.

County councillor Arthur Barker said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for service children to commemorate those who served in World War One."

Pupils also provided contributions to a World War One exhibition on display at the cathedral.

Nationally, North Yorkshire has nearly 3,000 service pupils and the second largest number of schools signed up to HMS Heroes.

To help provide further support for the county's military children and their families, Annabel Hall and Nickie Young have been appointed as "Service Pupil Champions" through Government funding.

Their appointment comes at a time when a high degree of troop mobility is expected in the county until 2017 with the further development of Catterick Garrison.

Matt Blyton, education advisor for service families, said: “Service children often face challenges associated with mobility and can experience many changes of school.

"Parental deployment to places like Afghanistan can also leave them vulnerable both educationally and socially.

"The people we have appointed to be champions are both members of military families and understand the ups and downs of military life."