STUDENTS dressed up in 1940s costume as they welcomed veterans and OAPs to tea.

The youngsters at Our Lady and St John Catholic College, in Blackburn, put on the party to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

They were joined by the mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Cllr Alan Cottam and the mayoress Agnes Cottam, who were served up with tea and cake.

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Suzanne Hall, from the media department at the North Road school, said the young people thoroughly enjoyed mixing with the older guests.

She said: “It was fabulous. All the staff and students dressed up and it was just lovely.

“The kids all got really emotional and involved in it all.”

As well as the traditional refreshments, the pupils also sang songs and read poetry typical of the era.

The teachers helped the youngsters find outfits that would have been considered haute-couture at the time and also arranged their hair in 1940s-styles.

Bunting was put up and the decorations and table settings reminded everybody of what it was like to live in wartime Britain.

Among other invited VIPs were Des Owen, president of the Blackburn branch of the Royal British Legion, and senior citizens from the Shadsworth estate.

Miss Hall added: “The guests really loved it. The head of music Renia Przybysz organised the whole thing.”

“It is really very important for our students to remember the war. It gives them a sense of belonging.

“We do an awful lot in school regarding remembrance, which we believe is really important.

“The OAPs were fantastic and they thoroughly enjoyed the performances.”

The celebration evening raised more than £500 for the Royal British Legion.

Coun Cottam said he had had a wonderful time listening to the music and chatting with the guests.

He said: “It was an excellent event and a tremendous evening.

“The children organised it for the ex-servicemen and the OAPs and with all the nostalgic songs, it was just brilliant.

“It is so important for the children to get involved in their communities like this.

“The children put on a really good show, and you could see they had really rehearsed it well.”