PRIMARY school pupils were given a taste of wartime Britain by people who lived through the Second World War.

About 60 Year Six pupils from Hamilton Primary School, in Constantine Road, Colchester, welcomed 25 guests yesterday, each of whom had brought in ration books, gas masks, record players and newspapers.

The event, which also saw kids baking sweet treats, took place to coincide with pupils learning about life during the war.

Joan Watson, 78, attended the event, bringing an authentic gas mask and a ration book from 1952 for pupils to see.

“I think it’s great the school has done this for the children,” she said.

“The more they know about the war, the better.”

Mrs Watson told the children about her experiences as a primary school pupil, at St John’s Green, in Colchester, during an aid raid in 1942.

“I remember being in school and I was about five when the bombs came down in High Street and we all did what we had practiced by getting underneath the table.”

She added: “I was glad of the chance to talk about the war because I remember it very well. I think if it hadn’t been for the war, my memory would not be as good.”

Sarah Wright, Year Six teacher, said: “It fitted in so well with what the children have been learning about.

“They had been learning about the home front, including rations, the home guard, so speaking to the guests really brough history to life for the children.”