A SPECIAL children’s concert to mark 100 years since World War I is set to be held in Bournemouth.

The Lest We Forget performance, which is being hosted at the BIC on March 19, will see up to 500 young musicians, singers and dancers from across Dorset telling the story of the Great War.

And it will culminate with a song of remembrance, also called Lest We Forget, which was co-written by popular Dorset based author Dr Ron Dawson and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Kevin Morgan.

Dr Dawson, best known for writing Adventures of Scary Bones the Skeleton, said: “Within a few months of writing Lest we Forget I was sent a recording of it being sung by a choir of Canadian primary school children.

“As I listened to it I realised that it is with today’s children that remembrance of the fallen ultimately depends.

“It seemed so obvious and yet children are overlooked in so many commemorations.

“I subsequently developed the idea of a dedicated Children’s World War I centenary concert and put it as a proposal to the Dorset Music Service and Soundstorm [the music service for Bournemouth and Poole].

“To their great credit, they not only took up the idea, they extended it and have devised what I believe will be a truly memorable remembrance performance for and by the children of Dorset.’ Cllr Nicola Greene, Bournemouth council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, said she expects the performance to be very moving.

“This is an incredible opportunity for all those young people who are taking part to have the chance to work alongside professional musicians,” she added.

Tickets for the performance, priced at £10 – £15, are on sale now at bic.co.uk/whats-on/lest-we-forget-15, by calling 0844 576 3000 or in person at the BIC’s box office.