STUDENTS were able to pay tribute to some of their fallen relatives when they visited a French war cemetery.

More than 40 pupils from Maltings Academy, in Witham, also visited trenches and underground quarry tunnels during a trip to Arras.

While they were there, some of the youngsters, who are in Years 10 and 11, were able to track down the graves of relatives.

The school’s head of history, Sarah Howson, said: “The students found the experience far more emotional than they were expecting.

“Visiting the cemetery showed the students exactly what the whole trip was about.

“They responded really well and got a better understanding that the war was about people doing as they were told.

“The experience helped students to build research into soldiers and civilians affected by World War One.”