DORCHESTER'S Keep Military Museum is reaching out to local schools.

The Bridport Road museum dedicated to the Dorset and Devon regiments is looking to build links with local schools and inspired youngsters and has been holding a series of outreach workshops.

The latest event saw the team head to Sunninghill Preparatory School to help children learn about the Gallipoli campaign and life in Dorchester during the First World War 100 years on.

Children from Sunninghill were joined by students from St Osmund's Middle School, Dorchester Middle School and St Mary's Middle School in Puddletown for the day of activities. which included a workshop with Keep Military Museum Curator Chris Copson.

He said that the museum's work with youngsters was a key part of what the museum did and it was always looking to increase its engagement with youngsters, particularly during the years of marking the centenary of the First World War.

Mr Copson said:: "As a museum, our Education Service is extremely important in spreading the word about the achievements of Devon and Dorset soldiers, especially at the time of the centenaries of the First World War.

"Children get a real buzz from handling artefacts and it really brings the subject to life.

"The schools side of the museum is growing rapidly and we would be very pleased to hear from other schools who would like to visit us or to receive outreach visits such as the one today."

Sunninghill Preparatory School’s head of humanities Sarah Smith said the event had been a great way for the students to learn about such an important part of our history.

She said: "It was wonderful to have such knowledgeable experts on Dorchester during First World War delivering lively and informative presentations, which captured the children’s imagination, helping them to empathise with this particular period of history.

"We hope to be able to offer another history enrichment during the next academic year."

For more information on the centenary of Gallipoli and role played by the Collingwood Battalion of the Royal Naval Division, 5th (Service) Battalion the Dorset Regiment, the Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry and the two Devon Yeomanry Regiments visit keepmilitarymuseum.org and follow the link on the History page.

You can also find out the latest information from the Keep Military Museum by visiting facebook.com/keepmilitarymuseum or follow @TheKeepMuseum on Twitter.