A FIELD of poppies will be planted in a Darlington church to mark the centenary of the First World War.

The remembrance garden at St Cuthbert's Church, in Darlington, will feature 100 wooden poppy crosses made by the Royal British Legion in a tribute to the town's fallen soldiers.

Members of the congregation can sponsor a cross, while some crosses will bear the names of those people commemorated on the church’s war memorial and roll of honour.

Crosses will also be available for those who would like to remember their family members or friends who died during the First World War.

A remembrance service will be held on Sunday, November 9, after which the poppies will be moved from the church to the churchyard to form a Field of Remembrance. They will remain there until Remembrance Day.

A spokesman for the church said: “The congregation hope that with this simple plan will be marking the centenary of the First World War both symbolically and practically.

“The money raised from the poppy crosses will support the work of the Royal British Legion as they help the veterans of more recent conflicts.”

Poppy crosses are available from the church and hall.