THERE were certainly no divided loyalties when pupils from Chagford School put on performances last week of 'Brothers in Arms' — a play about the English Civil War of the 17th century.

The conflict between Royalists and the Parliamentarians divided many families in West Devon, where major skirmishes took place.

Pupils Livy Rubbra and Tilly Dixon said: 'Our story is about two families, the Whyddons and the Monks, who have different beliefs.

'Their children are best friends, but the two boys fall out because of this.

'Our story follows them through their lives in the Civil War and the lives of the people in Chagford.

'Many people in Chagford wanted to stay completely out of the Civil War, but a few people took to arms to fight for what they believed in.'

Teacher Anne Searson was full of praise for the children, who wrote the play themselves, and thanked everyone involved, including parents, who helped make it a great success.

She said: 'The children have been studying this period of our history and a lot of research has gone into it.

'We had an absolutely fantastic response, overwhelming.

'The children were superb on stage and can be very proud of themselves.'