TWO neighbouring communities will come together to pay tribute to the men and boys who left their villages for war, never to return.

People in Kirk Merrington and Leasingthorne will mark the centenary of the end of the First World War with a weekend tribute on November 10 and 11.

There will be an exhibition at St John's Church, in Kirk Merrington, the annual Remembrance Sunday– which will start in church at 10.45am and move outside to the memorial for 11am– and a series of other tributes.

A working group of seven volunteers began work on the project in May.

Volunteer Norma Naisbitt said: "We have got so many people named on the war memorial for a small village we felt a special tribute would be more appropriate this year, being 100 years since the war ended."

Parish priest Rev Barbara Hilton said: "This has brought to the fore how the community holds those people in their thoughts and in high esteem, it is important to remember them. It is also an important community cause which has brought people together."

On the weekend, the church will open from 10am to 4pm on the Saturday, and 1pm to 4pm on the Sunday.

Wooden soldier silhouettes will line the path to church, there will be a poppy trail in the churchyard, service records on display and refreshments served.

The village Women's Institute will focus on the role of women, Kirk Merrington Primary School and the pre-school will produce work and the church flower ladies will create floral displays. There will be displays about animals at war, the surrender of the German fleet and memorabilia.

Around 30 knitters have made more than 1,500 poppies for a cascade inside the church, with 500 more still needed, and Kirk Merrington Community Centre has created a poppy bicycle which is already on display.

Miss Naisbitt has researched the 28 soldiers named on the Kirk Merrington war memorial, and 16 named at Leasingthorne, for a book of remembrance which will be displayed during the exhibition then kept at the church. She is keen to hear from anyone with information about J Denton, E Spoors and J Steele who are named at Leasingthorne. Anyone who can help can contact Rev Hilton on 01388-814093.