PUPILS arrived at school to find a sea of red poppies cascading across the drive.

The installation, inspired by Paul Cummings’ Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, at the Tower of London, appeared at Dene Community School in Peterlee on Friday morning.

Around 100 poppies made of ceramics and acrylic plastic were created by pupils as part of a project by Rochelle Laine, head of design technology, and Natalie Coyne, head of art.

Miss Laine said: “It is beautiful. The children have really enjoyed doing it and were happy they were doing something to represent family members or people like their grandparents who still have a connection with the war.”

The red poppies represented the fallen soldiers, purple ones were for the horses killed in conflict and the white flowers represent peace.

Ms Laine added: “Next year, we are going to try to have a poppy for every child and fill the whole drive. We should not forget what happened and we should continue to teach them about it.”