THE brightest star students at Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School have been honoured at the school's annual awards ceremony.

Pupils at the school, in Wordsworth Road, Accrington, were praised for the achievements, both on the sports field and in the classroom, and for being role models.

After being greeted by the chair of governors Dennis Ford, visitors were treated to a commemoration of the First World War.

Army veteran and school pastoral support officer Simon Livesey gave a talk, as did former student Corporal Anthony Clayton, from B Squadron, Queen's Own Yeomanry regiment.

The cast of Our Ossy Pals, a project at the Civic Arts Centre in Oswaldtwistle, performed an extract.

The show tackles the reaction of young people in 1914, after they were confronted with news of a war which would change their lives forever.

Project manager Lucy Fitzpatrick at the Civic Arts Centre said: "We have lots of people, including some historians, come in to talk to the young people.

"Our Drama Club members have been really inspired by the stories they have heard. They have created a script which will be really dramatic and tear jerking for audiences.”

The show follows a group of young people, shortly after the famous lock out at Howard and Bullough. The management had locked-out the whole workforce of nearly 5,000 men and boys from the Accrington firm following a strike for trade union recognition and a minimum wage.

Ex-international hockey player Charlotte Hartley gave a speech and presented the students with their awards, while Hyndburn mayor Coun Munsif Dad also attended.

Mount Carmel High School was rated outstanding in the quality of the welcome community, welfare, and witness, following a Salford Diocese Inspection last month.