Pupils at Gosford Hill School, Kidlington, played their full part in the Dig for Victory' campaign during the Second World War.

They dug out a large plot in the school grounds and grew vegetables for the 150 children who stayed for school dinners.

A history book marking the school's 75th anniversary this year records: "The digging and hoeing had been done to such a standard that in 1940, the first harvest was impressive - two tonnes of potatoes were dug up as well as a bumper crop of swedes and other root vegetables and eight varieties of brassica."

Other pupils helped the war effort by picking potatoes on local farms and collecting scrap metal and waste paper.

The children had plenty of time on their hands because they were sharing their school with evacuees from East Ham Girls' Grammar School, in London.

Gosford Hill pupils had lessons in the morning and the East Ham girls were taught in the afternoon.

The book, written by former teacher Terry Tossill, describes in detail the impact the war had on Gosford Hill - air raids, gas precautions, rationing, blackouts and the arrival of evacuees.

The end of the war brought relief all round. Pupils and staff were given a holiday on VE (Victory in Europe) Day, to join the numerous street parties.

Peace also meant that the school could press ahead with the expansion it had been waiting for since its opening in 1932.

New rooms were opened in 1948, followed by an even bigger building programme in 1959.

The following year, the school made national headlines with a story already recorded in Memory Lane. A group of pupils went on strike in protest at having to leave Gosford Hill and take their GCE exams at Northfield School, Littlemore.

Copies of the book are available at the school.