POETRY came to life at a Leigh school, as pupils acted out classic odes as part of a reading initiative.

Classes of children at West Leigh Junior School, in Ronald Hill Grove, memorised and performed poems including William Blake’s Tyger, Tyger and T S Eliot’s Shimble-shanks the Railway Cat in the competition, which was part of the school’s Big Read event.

Class 3D won the Book Week Trophy for its performance of WH Auden’s Night Mail.

Kathy O’Donnell, English and creativity leader, said, “It was amazing to witness children of a young age reciting well-loved classics with such skill and confidence. The beauty and eloquence of English poetry will remain with them for ever.”