Youngsters got a taste of national service at a military day staged at Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham. Children met a ‘Sergeant Major’ who put them through their paces to see if they were fit enough to join Kitchener's Army.

He got them square bashing and explained what life was like as a World War One ‘Tommy’.

‘‘Sgt’ John Meredith from Lancashire County Council’s education team tried out his parade ground lungpower and, below, put Rose Horgan and Chloe Huetson through their paces with a rifle drill and ear bashing.