A GLASGOW pupil has been given a starring role in a touching drama that looks at the First World War through the eyes of children.

Seumas Scullion, 12, was among four Scottish children who travelled to Germany to film Small Children in a Big War, which starts tomorrow night on BBC Alba. Much of the series is based on recoll-ections and letters penned by children during the war.

Seumas, who is a pupil at Glasgow Gaelic School, was picked for the drama, after impressing BBC Alba bosses with his audition.

Each episode of the series features one European language, with episode four's script focused on Scottish Gaelic.

Seuma travelled to Leipzig and Travemünde in Germany to take part in 10 days of filming with his father Paul.

Pupils were given an exclusive preview of the episode, titled A' Bhreug (The Lie) at the Gaelic School last week, joined by families of the children involved.

Mum Catriona MacPhee, 44, said: "You couldn't hear a peep in the hall. It's powerful and thought provoking.

"When it starts off they have an idealistic view of the war and that changes when two of the children lose their fathers. It's sad and it's sweet.

"My father is of that generation and I think he found it touching. It was a fantastic experience for the children involved."

Catriona, sent both her sons to the Gaelic School because she wanted to pass on her first language.

Her parents are from South Uist but she grew up in East Kilbride before settling in Newton Mearns with her husband Paul, 42, an IT consultant.

She said: "It's a great school, the children get so many opportunities."

Seumas' cousin Eilidh also stars the drama. Both Seumas and his brother Innes are competing in the Mod this week in Inverness, where Innes has already picked up a second prize in the traditional solo singing event.

l Small Children in a Big War starts tomorrow night on BBC Alba at 10pm

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk