Poppies have been sown outside Keighley Shared Church in an act of remembrance to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Seeds were sown by the mayor of Keighley, Council-lor Sally Walker, who was accompanied by other council representatives, and members of the Royal British Legion.

Priest-in-charge at the church, the Rev Peter Mott, explained all churches and associated schools within the new Church of England Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales had received a packet of poppy seeds to plant.

He added that £1 from the cost of each packet is being donated to the Poppy Appeal.

Commenting on the project at the shared church last Wednesday, he said: “There are still tulips in our flowerbeds and it would have been a shame to have dug them up early.

“So we temporarily planted the poppies in seed boxes. They’ll be transferred to the flowerbeds once the tulips have finished in about three weeks’ time.

“It’s important for people to remember the First World War. This year there have been dramas and documentaries on television, which have taught me things I didn’t know about it.

“We have to learn the lessons to make sure we never drift into another world war.”