THE poignant words of three students at Sedgefield Community College earned them prizes in a poetry competition.

Pupils at the school were challenged to compose poems to coincide with Remembrance Day.

Year ten student Victoria Murrell won the contest and Gareth Craggs and Abigail Lawton were named runners-up by the judging panel.

Phil Hoggarth, divisional manager of the Co-op Funeral Services, which organised the event, said: "People wear poppies and put money in the collection tins for Remembrance Day, but we wanted to make sure the young people understood the sentiment behind it.

"We asked them not to think just about the two world wars but to spare a thought for everyone who has died during war times, which is sadly ongoing.

"Looking at the poems, especially those that won, I believe the pupils have put some real thought into them and appreciate the sacrifices that were made."

Each winner received a certificate of merit and book tokens.