THE horrors of trench warfare have been brought to life for bookworms at a Middlesbrough school, thanks to the storytelling skills of a children's author.

Theresa Breslin used artefacts from the war, including a gas mask and uniform, as she recounted her children's classic Remembrance during a workshop at The King's Academy, in Coulby Newham.

"They were one of the best groups I have ever spoken to," said the author, who once worked as a librarian.

"And they deserve a lot of praise for their work on their First World War display.

"Remembrance is a story about how the war affected people aged 14 to 20 and the children were completely engrossed."

The sessions were organised by the library manager, Jeanette O'Toole, through the Schools Resources Service.

She said: "The children to asked a lot of questions and were given a great insight into how to get ideas and complete research.

"Reading her book to the children really brought it alive."