A GROUP of students from Verwood attended a special ceremony to commemorate Commonwealth Day in London.

The children, from years three and four at Hillside Community First School, were representing the school at the annual service held at Westminster Abbey.

Accompanied by school secretary Mrs McAleer and teaching assistant Mrs Kemp, the eight youngsters were joined by the Queen in the church, as well as other members of the Royal Family and representatives from Commonwealth countries around the world.

Mrs Kemp said it was a great opportunity for the students to learn and marvelled at the way they conducted themselves.

“The eight children behaved impeccably and we are proud of the comments made from complete strangers about their manners and behaviour,” she said.

The pupils, all aged between seven and nine, took in some of the city’s iconic sights, including the London Eye and Westminster Abbey.

Mrs Kemp said: “They had time to look around at where the Queen sits and some spoke with the Dean of Westminster, who told them he was the only other person allowed to sit in that seat when the Queen is not there.”

The service began with a procession of flags from the member countries and the children watched on as the Queen delivered a speech to mark the occasion.