In November, the group feared a funding hitch may prevent them from taking part in the six-day event, but following the granting of the award the children — now all at Bell Baxter High School — are all set to leave for Italian shores next Wednesday.

The group was invited to Anzio by the Italian Star Association after a DVD they made while pupils of Newburgh Primary scooped first prize in a competition run by the Royal British Legion.

During their research they uncovered the forgotten tale of twins John and Thomas Cairncross who died on the same day at Anzio in 1944.

Since then the school and parents have been fund-raising to help the youngsters — Andrews Stanford, Catriona Finlay, Hannah Burgess, Jennifer Ross, Katie Hart and Amy Morrison — go on the trip.

Head teacher Susan Mitchell explained that a coffee morning raised over £1000, a 'poppy drive' raised £173 and the sale of the 'We Will Remember' DVDs also raised a significant sum.

Since the fund-raising problem was highlighted in the Fife Herald, the school has also received several donations from groups including £1000 from the Bell Baxter High School Former Pupils' Association and a further £500 from the Howe of Fife Rotary Club (£500), plus donations from individuals.

With the total amount of funding now being enough to cover the cost of everyone taking part, including two teachers and assistants, Fife Council locality manager Colin Gilbert stepped in with a further £800 to cover the cost of providing supply teaching staff for the four days the teachers will be absent from work.

Delighted that the pupils can now go to Anzio and take part in a number of civic events including a trip to Rome, Mrs Mitchell said the youngsters will be great ambassadors for Newburgh.

When they return the youngsters will be able to add all of their experiences to a special book being compiled by the school of all of the correspondence received from various people and groups since the project first began.