HOT Bovril and cheese sandwiches wrapped in paper were on the menu as 120 schoolchildren experienced an evacuation in Newport.

Pupils at St Joseph’s RC Primary School, wearing 1940s school uniform of shorts, blazers, flat caps and berets, carried gas masks as they took part in an evacuation day yesterday.

The junior school pupils from four classes walked to St Mary’s RC Church, Stow Hill, where they met parishioners, many of whom were evacuated themselves, who acted as families choosing which child they would look after.

The day was part of the school’s World War II studies which also saw pupils sample an authentic lunch and watch a scene from Carrie’s War which follows a young girl who is evacuated to Wales during the War.

Head teacher, Peter Knight, said re-creating the experience helps the children to reflect on what it was like and to empathize with those who went through it.

"The children found it very interesting and we hope to continue the theme with a VE day party on 30 March," he said.