PUPILS at a Keighley-district school have been forging links with their counterparts in Eastern Europe.

Youngsters from Eastburn Junior & Infant School have spanned the globe to link-up with pupils in Poland.

They have been working together on a project based around the book, Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero.

The book, by Scottish author Aileen Orr, tells the true story of a brown bear which was adopted as a cub by soldiers in the Polish army.

During the Second World War, Wojtek was used by troops to help carry shells at the battle of Monte Casino.

Following the conflict, the bear was stationed with the Polish soldiers in Scotland and ended its days at Edinburgh Zoo.

As part of their project, the children were involved in research, writing, composing music, artwork and model making.

Teachers from Eastburn and Poland led a shared lesson about the Second World War and the initiative led to a debate about migration in Europe, both in the post-conflict years and present day.

The youngsters took part in a live video call, when they talked together about their work.

Eastburn pupils performed music they had composed themselves, based on the life of Wojtek.

And the children both here and in Poland exchanged letters and cards and wrote to the author.

The venture – staged using eTwinning, a Europe-wide network of schools and teachers – has been awarded prestigious 'quality labels' in both countries.

Eastburn teacher and project co-ordinator, Diana Linford, said: "The pupils have loved working on this project about Wojtek the bear – who seems to have been a real character!

"Working with their peers in Poland has led to interesting discussions about how we welcome visitors and has motivated them to write letters and to compose and perform music.

"The project has broadened their horizons in a very positive way."

Last year, Mrs Linford was honoured at the annual eTwinning National Awards.

She received the mentoring accolade at the event, staged at the National College for Teaching and Leadership in Nottingham.

The recognition was for a Christmas around Europe 2015 project, which saw children in more than half a dozen countries share instructions for making festive decorations, exchange cards and take part in a video conference.

The initiative was also used to train teachers in the use of eTwinning projects within the primary school curriculum and help them apply for funding from the Erasmus+ programme, which enables staff and pupils to visit other European countries for studies or training.