AN Abingdon-based Beefeater shared tales of the Tower of London with students from an Oxfordshire school on Wednesday.

Yeoman Warder Spike Abbott spoke to students at Larkmead School about his journey to become a Beefeater for National Storytelling Week.

Students were shocked by tales of torture and amazed by traditions and stories of murder in the Tower. Mr Abbott told students about Guy Fawkes, executions, traitors gate, escaped prisoners, ravens and the missing Princes in the Tower during Richard III's rise to power.

Mr Abbott, who lives in Abingdon when not in the Tower, was based here at RAF Abingdon for six years from 1981.

Year 7 pupil Catherine said: "I thought it was really interesting finding out what happened in the past... everything that he does as a Beefeater and about his uniforms (one made with gold thread).

"I learnt a lot, especially that there have been less Beefeaters than people that have been into space."

Classmate Jacob added: "I thought it was very educational."