THE heroes of the First World War are being remembered in a special exhibition of art by children of Okehampton Primary School that was launched last week.

The exhibition on the Great War will be held in the Museum of Dartmoor Life from now to November 20 and acknowledges the 100- year anniversary of the start of the war.

The children of Okehampton Primary have been working on poetry and art, using 'We Are the Dead', a book of First World War art and poetry composed by those who took part in the conflict from all the countries involved. The project was the brainchild of Jan Goffey, a museum volunteer.

The Dartmoor Decorative and Fine Arts Society (DDFAS) artist in residence Louise Burrell, who is based at Okehampton Primary School, has been working with the Year 5 and Year 6 children to produce artwork highlighting the poetry messages from 'We are the Dead', using a wide variety of media.

Local artist Susan Eckles has also been working with the children to produce an army of soldiers in clay, with each soldier measuring just under a foot in height and wearing authentic uniform.

In addition to this, all the children from the school will be making a poppy in remembrance for those who lost their lives in the Great War, to be made up into special wreaths for the exhibition.

There will be further art and poetry workshops to accompany this work at The Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton.

The project has been funded by the DDFAS, who were keen to promote the arts for primary school children in the area.

For more information call the museum on 01837 52295.