THE magical world of Narnia was brought to life by schoolchildren using handmade festive lanterns.

Pupils from Leafield CofE Primary School near Witney created the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe-inspired lanterns for their sixth annual lantern procession on Wednesday.

Having made the paper lights in design lessons at school, the children then marched through the village with them in the annual Christmas tradition.

See also: The Real Greek could be coming to Oxford

It was very much The Lantern, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Leafield CofE headteacher Christian McGuinness said: “Our sixth annual lantern procession was once again a great success.

“The children’s lanterns looked stunning and it was really rewarding for them to see their hard work looking spectacular as part of the procession.

“This is a real community event that brings everyone together at this special time of year."

Oxford Mail:

The procession began, as always, with the children meeting on the green by the village Christmas tree.

The village Christmas tree lights were then switched on in front of the waiting crowds.

Finally group then headed to St Michael’s Church for carols and refreshments.

The pupils made this year’s lanterns as part of their Design Technology lessons with the help of Oxfordshire artist Emily Cooling.

Read more: Election hustings cancelled after candidate is THREATENED

Ms Cooling works with people of all ages running workshops and putting on installations and events throughout Oxfordshire and beyond.

Her initiative Creating ART has completed 3,000 projects and worked in over one hundred nurseries, schools, colleges and universities.

At Leafield primary, she helped the children create artistic lanterns inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia – the series of seven fantasy novels by CS Lewis, first published in the 1950s.

The series is set in the fictional realm of Narnia, which is entered through a wardrobe.

The most famous of the books is the first – The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Oxford Mail:

The entire series has now sold some 100 million copies around the world in 47 languages, but CS Lewis is especially celebrated in Oxford as he held an academic position at Magdalen College between 1925 and 1954.

He was also famously friends with Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien: both writers were members of the literary discussion group known as the Inklings who met at the Eagle and Child pub on St Giles.

At one such meeting at the pub, it is believed that Lewis handed out final copies of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

On Wednesday, some 60 years on, the latest generation of fans celebrated the same literary world.

Mr McGuinness said: “We look forward to this every year, and the procession looked amazing.

“Seeing all the children and families walking slowly together towards church for carols and mince pies is just magical."