PUPILS paid tribute to soldiers who fought in the First World War by recreating a special Christmas Day football match.

The Christmas truce of 1914 saw English and German soldiers down weapons, leave the trenches, and cross the battlefield to exchange gifts, photographs, and have a friendly kickabout.

Mayflower High School, in Stock Road, Billericay, paid tribute to the event with its own match.

A total of 25 pupils in Year 8 and Year 9 took part. PE teacher Rob Harvey said the school hopes to make the match an annual event.

He said: “It was the idea of school librarian Karen Bainbridge and it’s just taken off.

“We did it last year and it was a big success, so we decided to carry on this year.

“It gives the children a better understanding of what happened on that Christmas Day when the game was played, and it interests them.

“It is a very enriching experience and we hope to do it every year.”