HARD-WORKING pupils at the school attended by a teenage war hero are to be given an annual award in his memory.

The Jack Banks Memorial Trust for Academic Excellence, sponsored by the Normandy Veterans, was launched at the weekend during its 60th anniversary memorial parade and service in Bold Venture Park.

The event also remembered Jack Banks, the boy who lied about his age so he could enlist at 16 and who died in a Normandy field in July 1944.

Organiser of the event Terry Burton announced that as a lasting tribute to the town's young soldier, the Normandy Veterans had decided to link up with the 16-year-old's former school, Holy Trinity Primary.

Children at the school, in Bank Top, will now be given the extra push to work harder with an annual prize of £100 up for grabs and a second-place £50 prize. Mr Burton, of the 95th branch of the Normandy Veterans, became interested in Pte Banks after hearing his story from veterans.

Mr Burton said: "The teachers at Holy Trinity will be trustees. Other people are also invited to sponsor the trust. If we make £150 a year the most highly academic child will win some money at the end of term.

"The top of the school will get £100 and the runner-up will get £50, or if the school wants to offer a first, second and third prize they can split the money differently.

"If we end up getting a larger amount of money in a year, the trustees can also put it towards buying school equipment. At the same time, we will also be keeping the memory of Jack Banks alive for years to come."

Headteacher at Holy Trinity Keith McDonald also became interested in former pupil Pte Banks after speaking to Mr Burton and decided to organise a memorial plaque to remember him.

It will now be installed as the first memorial to him, in the entrance to the school, along with a photograph of Pte Banks and his medals.

Mr McDonald said: "From the school's point of view it is a rare privilege and real honour to be associated with the Normandy Veterans. The world will never know their like again.

"The experiences they have had makes them unique in history."