A BOOK of condolences, made by Bromsgrove pupils for the victims of the Beslan school tragedy, will be sent to the Russian embassy.

Year eight pupils from Catshill Middle School, in Meadow Road, were so moved by the tragedy that they made the book when they returned from their summer holidays.

The book is made up of collages of a white flower that has been individually made by the pupils to write their messages on.

Making the book and the thoughts behind it was part of the youngsters' personal, social and health education lessons.

Teacher Sally Dunston said: "It is something that the pupils have really embraced and have been very determined to get right.

"The events that happened in Beslan are very real for the children and it is easy to identify with as it happened in a school."

An assembly, involving music, poetry and a minute's silence, gave the Catshill children the chance to reflect on the massacre. At least 335 people, around half of them children, were killed during the siege.

One of the messages in the thoughtful book reads: "I just don't understand why, thinking of you."

The book of condolences will now be sent to the Russian embassy.

l MEMBERS of Bromsgrove District Council held a minute's silence as a mark of respect to the children and adults who were killed in the school siege in Beslan

At last week's full council meeting, district council chairman Ted Tibby said he had sent a letter of condolence to the people of the town.

Cllr Margaret Taylor also made reference to the 'slaughter of innocents' in the prayer to open the meeting.

christopher.flavell@

midlands.newsquest.co.uk