CHILDREN’S experience of war is the focus of a free exhibition at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock.

Photographs from Chipping Norton, posters made by Steeple Aston pupils and memories from across Oxfordshire will give visitors a unique look at life as a child in wartime Britain.

The Lottery-funded exhibition Children and War – the Oxfordshire Story has been organised by The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust and is free to visit.

Memoirs and recordings will give visitors to the museum an insight into growing up during the days of black-out curtains, air raids and evacuation.

Highlights include World War Two salvage and savings posters, a First World War uniform worn by a young Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry soldier and a photograph of evacuees arriving at Chipping Norton train station in 1939.

Curator Julie Summers said: “We believe this ambitious exhibition has a broad appeal. Everyone can relate to some aspect of it, whether it is remembering their experience as an evacuee during the war, building a model aircraft, or as a child of today whose dad or mum is away in the army.

“We hope people will be encouraged to bring family members, both old and young, and to share memories and experiences.”

The exhibition will run for 18 months and the museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm.