THOUGHTFUL youngsters showed veterans they were thinking about them during the coronavirus crisis.

Pupils from Montgomery Junior and Hamilton Primary schools in Colchester put together paintings and drawings which were distributed by the Support Our Paras charity to former soldiers who are over 70 and having to self-isolate during the coronavirus outbreak.

Jeffrey Long, 96, served in the Second World War and was part of the famous Ardennes and Rhine Crossing jump.

He said the drawing had brightened his day.

“Getting something beautiful through the post has really brightened my lockdown - I extend my sincere gratitude to the children for all their hard work and have proudly put mine on display,” he said.