THE Second World War was brought to life at a Bury school by former pupils who returned to share their experiences.

Joan Isherwood, Marie Shaw, Sheila Stocks and Ted Roberts all attended Bury Grammar School between 1939 and 1945.

They went back to the classroom 70 years later to bring the war to life for current pupils.

The youngsters were particularly enthralled when Mr Roberts produced a bomb that had landed in his garden in Whitefield.

He told them that once the bomb had been defused, he was allowed to keep it.

The former pupils spent the day talking to various classes, including sixth form pupils planning to study history at degree level, and were given a tour of the school.

Helen Ward, the girls’ school’s head of history, said: “The impact of the Second World War was brought home to the pupils when they listened to the first-hand experiences of our guests.

“Home economics lessons, for example, were particularly affected by rationing and dresses were made from family cast-offs.

“One year eight pupil said she now realised how scary the Blitz must have been and what devastation could be caused by just one small bomb.

“Much information and insight into school life during the war was gained from the visit — not least about the much longer school day.”

The visit was arranged after an assembly held in September last year, marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of war.

It was based on articles from the Bury Times archives and girls’ school headteacher Bobby Georghiou sent the information to people who were pupils in the war years.

She received several letters in reply detailing life at the school, which are now being used as a resource for current pupils.

Mrs Georghiou said: “It was a brilliant day for the students.

“We teach them about the home front but nothing brings it to life quite as clearly as people who lived through it.

“It is particularly fascinating to imagine what the school must have been like during this difficult period.”