A first World War exhibition showing the damaging effect it had on Trowbridge was displayed in County Hall this week.

Historian Richard Broadhead put together the interactive presentation which includes artefacts and details of 600 soldiers from the town and surrounding villages who died during the war.

The Trowbridge Great War Exhibition began in County Hall’s atrium on Monday and will close on Saturday.

Mr Broadhead said: “This was the biggest loss of life in Trowbridge since the plague and with 10,000 people from Wiltshire dying during the First World War it is so important to commemorate them.”

The display includes a talking video mirror, which runs on a one hour loop, showing the faces of all Trowbridge soldiers who died during the conflict.

Jane Scott, Wiltshire Council leader, said: “I’m so pleased Richard could bring the exhibition here. I think living history is the best way to understand what an effect the First World War had on the community.”

On Monday, fellow historian Steve Williams, from Steeple Ashton, visited Clarendon Academy with a First World War trench exhibit and gave a talk to the school’s Year 8 pupils.

Mr Williams brought in artefacts and weaponry which he used in demonstrations. Some of the children were selected to help the military expert.

His talk called, A Soldier’s Life in The Trenches, aimed to aid the students, from the Frome Road school, with a history project.

Mr Williams said: “There are many ways of educating children about the First World War but I think this approach of allowing the children to get involved in a practical manner works really well.

“They really engaged with the talk and they all seemed to enjoy learning and taking part.”

Mr Williams concluded his visit by holding a demonstration where he fired blank rounds from a rifle in the school’s playground.