A CHURCH has been decorated with thousands of handmade poppies to commemorate the centenary of the armistice.

Almost 20,000 handmade poppies have been used to make a display at Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Church in Penshaw, Sunderland.

The congregation had originally set out to make 13,000 poppies, one for each solider of the Durham Light Infantry who died during the First World War.

Members from churches throughout the parish of St John XXIII were involved in making the display, which will be on until November 18.

The church in Station Road, which was dedicated in 1919 and is in its 100th year, is having an ecumenical service, when a special musical liturgy will be sung, tonight.

It starts at 7.30pm and all are welcome to attend.