Thousands of schoolchildren to get a taste of Devon's WW1

A scene from the film 'Private Peaceful'.

This year schoolchildren across the West will be learning about the First World War as we commemorate the centenary. On Monday, thousands will be getting a unique insight into how the war affected the tiny Devon village of Iddesleigh.

It is the home of author and former children's laureate Michael Morpurgo, and the setting for both 'War Horse' and 'Private Peaceful'. Schools across Britain have been invited to special screenings of the film of Private Peaceful and the author is taking part in a live satellite link-up.

In the video above, the author Michael Morpurgo explains what it was about Devon life that inspired him to write about the First World War.

Another scene from the film 'Private Peaceful'.