A FLYPAST helped schoolchildren tell the story of a First World War pilot and his dog.

Six youngsters from Mersea Island School spent yesterday morning filming with TV crews in Cudmore Grove Country Park.

A Scout Experimental 5 plane, one of the most successful aircraft in the First WorldWar, did a flypast as part of the ITV Anglia news show.

The children wrote their own script, with the help of an ITV News producer.

Charlotte Lake, nine, said: “I found it exciting because I have never done anything like this before.

“I was excited, but nervous as well.”

Read the full story in today's Gazette.