A Holocaust survivor gave pupils her first-hand account of the horrors she suffered in Poland during the Second World War.

Janine Webber agreed to talk to youngsters studying A-level drama and history at The Westland School so they can understand the inhumanities that occurred to people only a few generations before them.

The 82-year-old explained how she was born in 1932 in the small town of Lwow, only to be forced out by the occupying Nazis in 1941.

Her story descended into further tragedy, from hiding in a hole beneath a wardrobe while her father was shot, to the ordeal of her brother being killed by an SS officer brought into their home by the people she trusted.

Escaping once more, she went on to work as a shepherdess before hiding in a convent after she was hunted for being Jewish in the town she grew up in.

Eventually Mrs Webber obtained fake papers from her aunt, with which she was able to remain safe throughout the rest of the war. In 1956 she emigrated to the UK and has lived in London ever since.

She now volunteers for the Holocaust Educational Trust, which works with schools, colleges and communities across the UK with the aim of deepening people’s understanding.

Recalling her childhood, she said: “I always knew that they were killing Jews, so I never told anyone I was Jewish.”

Drama teacher Lisa Stocker, who organised the May 8 visit, said: “The Year 12 students are devising a piece of theatre based on the Holocaust and were extremely moved by Janine’s story.”

Year 12 pupil Helena Youngman said: “It is important to keep memories of the Holocaust alive to prevent history repeating itself.”

Sunny Locke, who is in the same year and currently studying drama, added: “It gave me an example of a real-life Holocaust survivor and it has helped me to develop my character for our piece of theatre.”