A PLAQUE tribute to pupils who died in a Second World War air raid has been presented to a school.

Sue Homer with pupils Scott Hilson and Elie Whitford

The names of victims - Donald Scriven, Dennis Felce, Roy Odell, Joyce Dodd, Muriel Moye, Lorna Paine and Cecilia Chase - will be written on the plaque, presented to the school by Rushden mayor Sue Homer.

Peter Judge, 72, of Webb Road, Raunds, was a pupil at the school on the day of the raid. He said: "It is important to remember the children who died. They were just starting out their lives and lost them.

"They were our friends -I remember Donald Scriven because he lived just round the corner from me."

Gordon Ellis, 73, of Spencer Road, Rushden, another survivor, said: "I was in the class­room and remember looking round to see the roof of the dental school was falling off."

Jean Harrison, 74, of Oundle Road, Thrapston, was at school with her younger sister Ivy when the bomb struck.

She said: "I remember hearing a noise and all the children started shouting.

"I was worried about finding my sister. We went outside and my father had come in to the playground because he worked nearby Then we found her safe in a shelter."

Betty Ford, 74, of Westfield Avenue, Rushden, said: "The ceremony was emotional. It is something we will never forget."

Headteacher John Kidney said: "It is part of our history, of the whole community and not just the school.

"It is important that the children recognise the past and that we remember. It is also important toimprove the school for the future, to create something out of nothing.

The garden will be some­where peaceful where pupils can go and reflect."

So far the school has raised about £600 to pay for the garden, but is still looking to raise more funds.

Anyone able to contribute should contact the school.

A former carpenter and joiner has recalled his experience of the bombing at the tender age of four-and-a-half.

Robert Dickens, 70, of Pightles Terrace, Rushden, had only been at Alfred Street School a few weeks.

He said: "I remember my classroom ceiling cracking and opening up and the sound of a bang and a roar. I could see a classroom wall fall and outside another wall falling on to a boy who was buried.

"Dust and plaster rained down on us all as our teacher ushered us to a safer place outside to congregate near the entrance."

Mr Dickens lived with his parents Les and Ada, landlords of The Railway, now the Corner Flag pub in High Street.

He said: "My father and one of his barmen, Bill Lovell, were carrying out work in the cellar in preparation for the day ahead when the bomb landed.

"The blast blew my father off his feet and he sustained a broken ankle.

"Bill, who lived opposite the entrance which now leads to Budgens' car park, went to see if his house was still standing and then went to the school because dad had wisked him to look out for me."

Mr Dickens feels his whole family had a lucky escape, including his mother who he believes would have been near the destroyed fish and chip shop if she had not forgotten something during a shopping trip.