HEROES of the First World War from Nelson have been honoured by their former school.

Walton High School has been tracing old boys who served in the war and discovered many received medals for their bravery including Lt Graham Thompson Lyall who was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Now the school has held a special ceremony to unveil the medals given to its former pupils and the stories of how they got them.

The school's book of remembrance has also been updated to record the names of servicemen previously missing from its pages.

Head of humanities Steve Dennett said: "We cover the First World War in Year Nine and run trips to the battlefields.

"An ex-student, Fred Stringer, has an interest in First World War medals and he discovered some names were missing from our book of remembrance.

"In his research he came across the fact many students and staff were awarded for their gallantry.

"It's a wonderful memorial to all the students killed in action. We are really pleased to host this event."

Regimental secretary of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment Lt Col John Downhan and Canadian Cpt Bernard Hudson, representing 102nd battalion 2nd Central Ontario Regiment with which Lt Lyall served, unveiled the memorial.

Lt Cl Downhan said: "The old regiment in these parts was the East Lancashire Regiment and it had a motto 'spectamo agendae' which roughly translates as 'by our deeds we are known'. It is appropriate these former soldiers are commemorated here, where their deeds will be known to their successors and I think that's important.

"Nearly 20,000 Lancashires died on the battlefields of that horrific conflict and we should not and will not forget their sacrifice."

Among the guests was Sandy Ferguson, Lt Lyall's nephew.

He said: "This is the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Cross and it means a lot to the family to feel his school hasn't forgotten him."