A STRIKING cascade of 12,500 knitted poppies was unveiled at Bromsgrove Methodist Church on Saturday, marking 100 years since the end of the First World War,.

Hand-knitted poppies were contributed by residents and community groups across Bromsgrove and beyond to form the 'poppy wall', which has the number 100 made from white poppies at its centre in recognition of the centenary.

More than 100 people turned out for the unveiling ceremony, which featured wartime songs by Bromsgrove Community Choir, a poem from town crier Kevin Ward and speeches from the Royal British Legion chairman Patrick Smith and Rev Richard Wilde.

Rev Wilde told the Advertiser: ""The sky turned suitably grey for the moments of remembrance and even sent snow for the white poppies.

"There was a sharp intake of breath from the crowd when the poppies were unveiled. It looked wonderful.

"I really have been overwhelmed by the number of poppies that have come in by post and have been delivered to the church premises.

"People were dropping them off as late as this weekend, so we're getting a team together this Friday to create another cascade to use inside the worship space."

The memorial will be on display until after the Bromsgrove Remembrance Parade on November 11. The cascades will then be stored and reused for next year's remembrance events.