The harsh realities of war and the importance of Poppy Day were brought to life for children at a Halesowen school as year six led an emotive remembrance assembly.

There was barely a dry eye by the end of the event at Huntingtree Primary School in which the 49 ten and 11-year-olds read war poems, acted out a drama about a son leaving his family to go the trenches of the First World War and performed dances about conflict, loss and celebration of safe return.

They sang the Marlene Dietrich classic Where Have all the Flowers Gone?, played the Last Post and observed a minute’s silence in memory of those who lost their lives in war.

The assembly was presented to the rest of the school, year six parents and special guest Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP Sylvia Heal.

Assistant headteacher Caz Brasenell said some of the families from the school had sons in Afghanistan and the children had found out wartime stories experienced by their grandparents.

She said: “Nearly every family has been touched by war in some way. It brings it to real life and shows them to respect the remembrance, which they were great at."