PUPILS and staff from a Tendring school visited Belgium to pay their respects to those who lost their lives for their country.

Almost 50 Year Nine Tendring Technology College pupils and staff travelled to Ypres to attend a poignant ceremony at the Menin Gate.

The gate is a memorial to those who fell on the battlefield at Ypres during the First World War.

It bears the names of more than 54,000 soldiers whose bodies were never found and who have no graves.

Two of the pupils laid a wreath at a remembrance ceremony at the gate.

Footballing representatives also chose the occasion to mark the centenary of the First World War.

The Tendring pupils were surrounded by youth team representatives and Premier League dignitaries, and former World Cup referee Howard Webb also attended.