CHILDREN from primary schools across Darlington paid homage to those who lived during the Great War by taking to the stage to recite war poems.

The event, held at Darlington Civic Theatre, was the culmination of a project in which schools were given WWI poems for their pupils to learn and the best orators were chosen to recite them onstage.

Around 60 pupils recited the poems from memory in front of an audience of parents and a panel of judges which included Darlington Mayor Gerald Lee.

Cllr Lee, who chose ‘youth’ as one of his mayoral themes, was delighted to support the event and praised the efforts of all involved.

He said: “I think war is one of the things that no one should forget; those people who fought and died and what people went through.

“War poetry is part and parcel of that period and it is a wonderful way for the children to engage with it.

“For them to stand on that stage gave them tremendous confidence and raised their self esteem; it was absolutely brilliant for them and win-win all round.”

Poems recited by the children included The Target by Ivor Gurney and the event was dubbed The Great War Remembered – Darlington Children’s Poetry Festival.