War reading

Pictured is, left to right, Pupils at St Paul's Catholic Primary School in Paulsgrove, Harrison Goodchild (10), Oliver Bazylczyk (10), Poppy Edwards (10), Faith Betty (10) and Lewis Crosby (11). Picture: Sarah Standing (180758-5697)

MORE than 800 school pupils in Portsmouth have had a uniqueÂ insight into the First World War.

More than 800 copies of The News have been sent to nine schools across the city to be used in lessons about the war.

The News, along with Johnston Press newspapers in Leeds, Preston, Sheffield, and Sunderland, will be running weekly features in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day on Sunday, November 11.

The newspapers hope to reach more than 2,500 children across the country.

Zoe Killick, headteacher at St Paul's Primary School, Paulsgrove, said: '˜The children were very excited to be reading the newspaper.'

Youngster Lewis Crosby, 11, was chomping at the bit to read the paper. He said:Â I'm really looking forward to reading the newspaper.'

The Armistice 100 Countdown features, which will run every Friday, touch on aspects of the war ranging from life in the trenches to life back home. The headteacher added veterans willÂ visit the school.