By Saul Cooke-Black

PUPILS from Archway and Thomas Keble Schools were joined by MP Neil Carmichael on a battlefield tour of the Somme.

Students visited sites including Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park, London Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial and Ulster Memorial Tower.

They were joined at Ypres by Mr Carmichael before travelling to the Somme.

The tour was part of a centenary event commemorating the Great War, organised by the Institute of Education.

Mr Carmichael said: "The Battlefield Tours programme is an extremely valuable and worthwhile event for students.

"I found the tour of the Somme an excellent, very interesting and moving activity, and I was delighted that I was able to join Archway and Thomas Keble Schools on this memorable trip."