THE First World War was brought to life for history students who were able to examine weapons from the conflict.

Guns, helmets and other artefacts from the 1914-18 war were on show in lessons at Sunnydale Comprehensive School, Shildon.

The teenagers were also visited by former art teacher Bernard Condon, from Northallerton, who talked of his grandfather James, an infantryman killed on the Somme.

Mr Condon told them his grandfather was killed by shellfire in September 1916 and that he and his brother had started searching for information about the father-of-seven 15 years ago.

They discovered their grandfather was buried in a military cemetery in Corbie, in northern France, visited his grave, and retraced his routes across the country.

The head of history at Sunnydale School, Hylton Balmer, said: "We are always trying to find ways of bringing historical studies to life.

"Mr Condon's obvious enthusiasm and his depth of knowledge in this area of study really helps us to achieve that.''