A veteran of the Penryn air raid that claimed 18 lives during World War Two visited the town’s junior school last week.

Ivor Pascoe, aged 90, was living in Quay Hill when 23 homes were destroyed by bombing on May 13, 1941. On Wednesday he shared his wartime experiences with the enthralled children of year six at Penryn Junior School.

Class teacher Jan Eddy said they were “delighted” to have Ivor in school.

“The children have found out that his house was bombed and five members of his family died but he, and his dad, were survivors,” she said.

“They have been fascinated listening to him, they have learnt so much and it’s really brought history alive for them.”

Ivor said he was surprised at how much the children knew about the war.

“All the questions they asked are common sense questions,” he said.

Adding: “They are genuinely interested and very attentive.”

Chloe Phillips, from Cornwall Record Office, was also on hand to show the children real historical artefacts from wartime Penryn and provide hands-on activities using documents from the archives.

“Some of it even relates to Ivor and his family,” Mrs Eddy said.