AS history lessons go — this is one these youngsters will remember for a years to come.

For pupils in Horwich learnt about the Great War — and the sacrifice made by men from their hometown 100 years ago — by painstakingly cleaning war graves in the grounds of Horwich Parish Church.

Horwich Parish CE School has been given a £9,000 National Lottery heritage grant to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War One.

And their project started with youngsters by tending to war and planting bulbs.

The children also hope to organise a headstone for Bolton hero Tommy Edwards as there is currently no memorial.

The work was undertaken by young people in the school’s heritage group, with the help of Bernard Taylor of The War Cemetery Adoption Society and Rev Stephen Fletcher of Horwich Parish Church.

Mrs Washington, deputy headteacher, said: “We have linked with Bernard, a church member, who is keen for children to learn about the Great War and its futility and the importance of remembering soldiers.

“He has taken a keen interest in children becoming more aware of the their role in the future and how learning about the impact of war they will be able to play a part in stopping war in the future.

“At Horwich Parish Church we have a number of war graves which are not tended to at all.

“The school, which has a heritage group, has volunteered to take on the upkeep of the graves with the support of our vicar.”

Mrs Washington added: “We have also met with Rev Stephen.

“Our heritage group will be meeting each month to maintain the upkeep of the graves."

The school is inviting members of the community to a tea party at Horwich Leisure Centre on June 19 where children will share what they have learned.

Then on June 20, youngsters will act out different scenes related to information they have discovered about life in the trenches.

This will be followed by a whole school commemoration lunch on the field.