FOUR Bournemouth students have shared their experiences with their peers following an eye-opening trip to famous First World War landmarks.

They won places on the life-changing trip when they entered a writing competition to be part of the Battlefields Tour for UK schoolchildren.

The group, from Avonbourne and Harewood Colleges in Bournemouth, are now using the power of the written word again to tell fellow pupils about the trip to France and Belgium.

Sandra Hajdamaszek wrote: “Visiting the battlefields, war-zones, trenches and cemeteries gave me a very vivid and realistic image of what the war was like. I saw how all forces struggled to survive and defend their coun-tries.”

An extract from Beth Cowan’s report said: “I became emotional when we were looking at the cemeteries; some were beautiful yet some were horrific such as the German cemetery where they piled unknown soldiers on top of each other.

“I also got a bit teary when we went to the trenches as I could imagine all the soldiers losing their lives. It was heartbreaking to take in the fact that people had died so horribly.”

Joe Thomas wrote: “We heard the story about a world-famous, national sportsman who was buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. “He had fought for his country and died in battle. What really hit me was that his mother missed him so much that she had her own ashes laid with his body. “It was these personal stories about the men who fought and the impact it had on their loved ones that made the whole experience really insightful.”

And in his report, Connor Stone said: “My favourite place was Lochnagar Crater in the Somme. “This was a real eye-opener to the sheer magnitude of the First World War and the damage that took place. “Our trip puts things into perspective in a way books and pictures cannot.”

Executive headteacher of Avonbourne and Harewood, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “This has been a truly life-changing experience for our four students who were privileged to be part of such an amazing journey.

“What they have learned will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”