SCHOOLCHILDREN jumped back through time yesterday during a real-life history lesson on the Second World War.

Pupils from Linthorpe Primary, in Middlesbrough, took part in a re-enactment of the wartime evacuation of children to the safety of the countryside.

As part of the celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war, pupils were given nametags and dressed in 1940s outfits, carrying gas masks, ration books and identification cards.

They were taken to Hutton-le-Hole, in North Yorkshire, which was transformed into a wartime village.

The week-long event, organised by Middlesbrough's Dorman Museum and the Ryedale Folk Museum, at Hutton-le-Hole, will reached a climax on Friday with a VE Day celebration in the village hall.

Jill Moore, education officer at the Dorman Museum, told how the re-enactment would bring history books alive.

She said: "We can only teach so much from a book, so to experience life during the war first-hand will be amazing for the kids."

The Big Lottery Fund, which helps community projects, gave £20,000 to help stage the celebrations.

The event was made even more realistic when the children were joined by people who cared for wartime evacuees.

Rosie Magson, 92, looked after a young Middlesbrough boy, called John Hardy, for three years.

Mrs Magson, along with Mike Benson, manager of Ryedale Folk Museum, is appealing for Mr Hardy to get in touch.

Former teacher Kathleen Houghton, who taught at Ayresome Secondary Girls School, accompanied children who were evacuated from Middlesbrough to the countryside.

She even stayed on to teach them at local schools.

She will be joining veterans and support staff at the finale on Friday in period costume when a swing band will entertain in 1940s style.

About 200 children are expected to take part, from Linthorpe and Ormesby primary schools, Middlesbrough, and Whitecliffe Primary School, Carlin Howe.

The pupils will be taken by coach each morning to the village where they will be met by "residents", including the butcher, baker and farmer, and a billeting officer, who will allocate them to families in the village.

The youngsters will take part in a variety of activities, including working in the shop and baking bread on a cottage's kitchen range.