PUPILS from Grasmere Primary School transformed the village's St Oswald's Parish Church when they performed their annual Christmas play.

With infant students taking part in a more traditional nativity, children in the older years groups were tasked with more-challenging Henry V for this year's performance to coincide with the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death.

Teacher Adam Foster directed the play which was selected by the pupils. The school has been performing Shakespeare for its Christmas performances for the past 15 years.

"The children were after one of the more historical and dramatic plays this year and they really rose to the challenge," said headteacher Jo Goode. "It was fantastic, absolutely wonderful.

"I've seen this right the way through from the first read-through to the final performance and it was spine tingling.

"In church it was a complete blackout and then the spotlights came on and they just owned that stage for 40 minutes."