PUPILS past and present attended a Northallerton primary school for a commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the sinking of the battlecruiser Hood.

Northallerton man Rob Kennedy made a 4ft 11in replica of the vessel as a tribute to the association between it and Applegrath Primary School.

The school adopted the warship during the Second World War. Pupils at the time wrote to crew members, exchanged photographs and wrote The Hood's Prayer, which was carried inside the crew's head gear.

The ship was sunk trying to stop the German Bismarck getting in to the Atlantic and only three of its 1,400 crew members survived.

The school this week welcomed the Royal Navy's Lieutenant Colonel Robert Beaver, a former Northallerton Grammar School student, and Warrant Officer Andy Cooper, who spoke about the importance of the navy today. Mayor David Blades also attended and recited The Hood's Prayer.

Eight wartime pupils, who had given Mr Kennedy some of their old letters and photographs, attended and were shown around the school, some for the first time in more than 60 years.

Headteacher Simon Ashby said: "It was excellent. The children were in awe of the model and it will become a major focal point of the school's historical connection with the Hood for years to come.

"The whole thing was a lovely occasion, and quite poignant, and we are very grateful to Mr Kennedy for setting it up and making his boat."

Mr Kennedy said: "The children were very well-mannered and well-disciplined and it was appreciated by everyone.

"I thought it was good for the school and the children that the lieutenant was a local boy - it really showed them what can be achieved from sticking at their education and showed them they can be anything they want - it's up to them."