MORE than 200 pupils from primary schools across Oxfordshire came together to pay tribute to soldiers who died during the First World War.

They gathered at Dalton Barracks in Abingdon yesterday and formed a giant poppy on a runway at military base where there is a former airfield.

Wearing red and black ponchos staff arranged the pupils into shape of a poppy as part of the centenary commemorations for the Armistice at the end of the conflict.

Lynda Atkins, chairwoman of the Royal British Legion, said: “It was a fantastic effort from the pupils, who went to a great effort to create this memorable tribute on one of the hottest days of the year.

“We had children from 11 primary schools across Oxfordshire in the poppy, along with members of Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force and a few adults who were keen to join in too.

“Volunteers from the Royal British Legion, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxfordshire County Council Highways department and Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force all helped to make the event a huge success.”

Ms Atkins, who is county councillor for Wallingford, said the tribute would tie in with pupils’ studies about the First World War.

She added: “We had to make sure the children had ponchos to sit on as well as the runway was very hot.

“They were all very engaged and interested and didn’t complain about the heat once.We wanted to do something a little bit different and I’m sure this is a day they will always remember.”