A FORMER soldier held children spellbound when he told them of the importance of remembering the country's war heroes.

Children aged 12 and 13 at Blakeston Secondary School, in Stockton, also read their own poetry in an assembly about remembering the country's fallen.

Former paratrooper and Royal British Legion member John Stringfellow, of Stockton, show-ed the children videos about the First World War, which depicted the poppy fields in Flanders, Belgium, where thousands died.

Teacher Kath Horn organised the Armistice Day event.

She said: "The children really were spellbound.

"They were quiet and their behaviour was impeccable. Mr Stringfellow answered their questions and he is going to take some of their poems to be published in the Royal British Legion magazine.

"It was a very moving occasion and I am sure the children took a lot from it."