A BLACKBURN College student is marking the 60th anniversary of World War Two by stepping into the shoes of a teenager who died in battle.

The star of the poignant tribute is 18-year-old Mark Wilson, of Springfield Avenue, Blackburn.

He has recorded the words of Jack Banks, a young crack shot from Darwen who was killed at the age of 16 in 1944.

Mark's involvement is part of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's special CD for schools to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the war.

When organisers heard the story of Jack Banks they chose Mark to recount his emotional story.

And the Blackburn teenager's portrayal has won the backing of Jack's 69-year-old sister, Jean Wilson who now lives in St Annes. She has also recorded her memories for the CD.

Mark, who completes his A-levels this year, said of his role: "It was an honour to play this young man and I cannot imagine what he experienced at such a young age."

Andy Kirman, from Blackburn with Darwen Library, recommended Mark for a job because he believed he fitted the Commission's requirement of having a local accent."

Paul Gerrard, head of sixth form at Blackburn College, said: "We are delighted that Mark was chosen for an educational project that will help to make other young people aware of the horrors of war."

Jack Banks joined the Home Guard at 14 years old - a crack shot who was very keen to join the army.

He lied about his age and enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry when he was only 15.

He survived the Normandy beaches but was killed a few weeks later on July 21, 1944 in the advance to take Bayeux.

Caroline Coxon, Education Consultant at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), who wrote and is producing the commemorative CD, said: "The idea was to get across the notion that behind every headstone tended by the CWGC there is a story about a real person who comes from a family just like yours.

"Mark did a great job doing the recording - totally natural, which is what we wanted. I was determined that Jack should be played by someone of the same age and from the same area, so the voice was authentic. "

The CD will be available on request from the CWGC from mid to late May.