PUPILS at a Blackburn school have been praised by the prime minister after penning poems to honour those who fought in the First World War.

A civic ceremony has been staged at Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College where the book of poetry was launched and the work was read out.

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The event was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Lord Shuttleworth, Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Harry Catherall and chair of governors Kam Kothia.

David Cameron wrote the forward for the book, which includes 22 original poems, in which he praised the work done by the students.

Mr Cameron said: “This wonderful book of poetry perfectly captures the overriding emotions that I am sure were shared by everyone fighting to preserve our freedom.

“The pupils of Tauheedul School should rightly be praised for their stellar efforts and it is right that the people about whom they have written continue to be honoured for their valour in such difficult circumstances.”

The book was edited by Humairaa Dudhwala, Shereen Patel, Zaynab Kazi and Naeema Nanaji and more than 30 students contributed to it.

At the event Lord Shuttleworth made a speech and a one minute silence was observed.

Hamid Patel, the executive principal, said: “Such is the magnitude of the First World War on our consciences, it is vital for all of us to have an appreciation of its abject horror, the sacrifice of millions in the cause of liberty and the impact that it has had on the making of our modern world.

“At Tauheedul we are commemorating the centenary of the First World War through activities during each of the years between 2014 and 2018.

“Through the study of the harrowing poetry of Wilfred Owen during English lessons, penning letters in French and Arabic to soldiers on the front line during languages classes, learning about code-breaking in computing studies, making 3D ‘First World War in a matchbox’ in art or practicing a military drill in PE, our students are beginning to get a deeper appreciation of the war and those nine million combatants and seven million civilians who perished in it.

“Above all though, our young women and all of us are learning the bravery of the men and women who lived through the war – their sacrifice, their service and humanity.”