YOUNGSTERS the same age as World War One soldiers before them are travelling back in time in a heartfelt performance to the fallen.

Nearly 30 students from Enter CIC performing arts group in Ferryhill, will travel to Belgium on Monday to perform at the Menin Gate, a memorial dedicated to soldiers killed in the Ypres Salient of the First World War.

Gracie Flynn, one of the students taking part in the trip, has been a student at the company for nearly seven years.

She said: "It provides a new experience on World War One for the young people at Enter CIC.

"We get to see all the names on the Menin Gate walls and it’s very interesting to discover how many people died and the different families which were affected all over the world."

Director at the company Andrea Flynn, hopes through the trip, the young people will understand the significance of Remembrance Day and educate other youngsters on the importance of the day.

She said: "They’re such a talented group and anybody who gets to see their work is always astounded by what young people can achieve.

"We’re hoping to get across to people that this wasn’t an old man’s war but, in many cases, people signing up younger than the age they were supposed to be.

"I think when the youngsters were researching it they found that really poignant and informative. It really hit home for the group."

The performance has been in the works for nearly four years. The group started to look into World War One in 2014.

They created a show called Home Fires which is a story of what life was like for soldiers and those left at home during the war.

The show toured across the North-East and was created by writer and composer Paul Flynn for the beginning of the Centenary commemorations of World War One.

Another performer involved in the show is 14-year-old Paige Trimmer, she said: “We’re really excited for the trip to Belgium.

“I love coming here, I started five or six years ago and it’s just amazing. It’s a lot of fun for all of us.

“I think it’s very important for the younger generation to know about the war because we are the future and we need to make sure we don’t repeat the past.”

The group are also visiting poet John McCrae’s farm in Belgium and will perform on the site in tribute to the author.

Enter CIC wanted to thank the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Gillian Dickinson Trust who worked to fund the project and make the trip possible.