SCHOOLCHILDREN will be playing their part in Remembrance Sunday this year, pledging a special message of peace to the nation.

During a remembrance ceremony in Victoria Square, Kirsty Byron, aged 11, of Brandwood Primary School, and Khaled Kaloo, aged 15, of Deane High School, will lay a wreath at the war memorial on behalf of all the schoolchildren in the borough.

Kirsty, who was chosen for the honour to represent primary schools after a draw at Brandwood, said she was very proud to lay the wreath.

"It is important that we remember everyone in the war," she said. "Not just the people who died but everyone who was involved. I think it is important we remember the children who had to grow up when we were at war."

Deane School pupil Khaled will lay his wreath on behalf of all Bolton's secondary schoolchildren.

But he will be flanked by the school's own delegation of Thomas Sweet and Matthew Ellis, aged 13, and Zoe Longworth and Alan Pitcher, aged 14, who will lay their own wreaths.

For the first time, when the parade marches off the square to reform at the back of the town hall before marching back, 17-year-old Helen Wilding of Canon Slade School, will sing an unaccompanied song of peace in memory of all those who died as a result of war. It will also remember those affected by the atrocities in America on September 11.

Cllr Cliff Morris, who will attend the ceremony along with the Mayor of Bolton, Kevan Helsby MBE, said: "The people of Bolton are very thoughtful and thousands always turn up on Remembrance Sunday to remember all those who fell in conflict. This year will be particularly poignant because for the first time schoolchildren will take part in the service.

"The council is very keen to involve schoolchildren in the civic life of the town and we will be liaising more with the schools in the future to make this happen"

Cllr Helsby added that he was delighted that schoolchildren had been involved in the event for the first time.

He said: "Being with so many citizens of the borough on Remembrance Sunday will be very special for me. Laying the wreath at the war memorial on behalf of the people of the town is going to be one of the most moving moments of my Mayoral year."

Helen Wilding, whose father Rob Wilding teaches at Canon Slade School, was picked by Bolton Music Centre based at Deane School to sing at the event. She said: "I am looking forward to performing in front of over 1,000 people. It was an honour to be picked. It is important to remember - and this brings the past home to us."

Meanwhile pupils at Tonge Moor's Moorgate Primary School have paid their own tribute to the fallen of World War Two with a range of artworks.

Children from the nursery through to Year 6 have produced drawings and paintings, poetry and history essays which have been put on display throughout the school.

The school has also held a special assembly of remembrance and played host to a very special guest when their former lollipop man and ex-serviceman Len Ward called into school to admire the children's work.