CHILDREN marked the 75-the anniversary of the D-Day landings today by recreating a Normandy beach outside their school.

Pupils at Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School laid crosses in the sand to pay tribute to the fallen.

As 500 British and American veterans who stormed the Normandy coastline travelled to northern France today to remember their comrades alongside world leaders, children held a D-Day family assembly.

The school on Townfield Lane has become the first in the country to become affiliated with the Royal British Legion.

Headteacher Alison Lawson said: "We feel it is really important for children to understand all about the conflict so it doesn't happen again.

Northwich Guardian:

"Pupils have been learning about the D-Day landings and what it meant for the Second World War. We want them to become the custodians of remembrance."

An incredible four-and-a-half tons of sand was used to recreate a Normandy beach, scene of the largest combined land, air and naval operation.

Margaret Peppit, the school's art and display specialist, spent hours designing a giant backdrop for the beach, depicting what the Normandy coastline would have looked like on June 6, 1944.

The school library has been turned into a mini museum with a field hospital and a bomb shelled area.

Pupils have written poems and stories about D-Day.

Mrs Lawson said: "All the children have been doing work in class to understand what happened. Many of them have grandads and family members who served in the war. We have a lot of resources and books for them to use.

"That is why we have become the first school in the country to become affiliated to the Royal British Legion. We always invite veterans to our Remembrance Service and Christmas performance. The British Legion has strong links with our school."

Mrs Lawson paid tribute to the local community as more than 100 people attended the D-Day family assembly.

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"We always have fabulous support from the community," said Mrs Lawson. "Our children make me proud to be their headteacher."

The Royal British Legion presented pupils with a special certificate to mark their unique partnership.