THE poignant departure of soldiers who left Bury to fight for their country after the outbreak of the Great War was recreated as part of a choral commemoration at the town’s Bolton Street Station.

East Lancashire Railway (ELR) hosted two performances of Over By Christmas, devised by Chester-based Theatre In The Quarter as part of the Imperial War Museum’s First World War Centenary project.

Sunday’s event, held on one of the station platforms, featured words and songs of World War One, capturing the spirit of optimism and patriotism of soldiers leaving for the front in the autumn of 1914.

A community choir of “soldiers”, “nurses” and their loved ones dressed in period costume and helped turn back the clock to a time when members of the armed forces left Bury to fight in the war.

Kate Walker, ELR marketing manager, said: “We hoped Over By Christmas would bring together local communities by telling the stories of the many soldiers who began their journeys to the front at railway stations across the country.

“We were overwhelmed by the number of people who turned up to watch the commemorative performances last weekend. The performances welcomed an audience of several hundred people with visitor figures double that of a typical Sunday and we have already received some touching comments from those who came.”

She added: “We are honoured to have been a part of this First World War commemoration and would like to give special thanks to all those involved.”