SCHOOL pupils were treated to a colourful dance performance to help them understand the lessons of personal loss.

Danesfield School, in Rasslers Wood, Medmenham, hosted the performance by the Springs Dance Company on Tuesday, dedicated to the tragic loss of former pupil, Joshua Deriaz who was only eight-years-old when he died from a brain tumour in April 2001.

Waterbugs and Dragonflies, which was produced alongside education charity Cre8ed, was staged to help children understand losses in life through a "softly approach" and encourage discussion in the classroom.

It tells the story of a group of waterbugs who lose a member and believe he has died only to rediscover him later on as a dragonfly.

Josh's mother, Sarah Deriaz, of Bovingdon Heights, Marlow, praised the show.

She said: "Using the arts to explore loss is such a creative way of encouraging children."