A STUNNING display of a thousand hanging poppies has been completed at St Augustine's Church in Rodbourne.

Hanging by thin wire from the church ceiling the poppies represent the lives lost in the First World War in preparation for the centenary on November 11.

It has taken more than seven months to complete the project, initiated by church warden Neil Fisher and Rodbourne Community History group.

Gordon Shaw, secretary of the Rodbourne History Group, told the Adver: "We wanted to commemorate the guys that gave their lives in the First World War, and obviously it's the centenary so we wanted to remember the guys killed from Rodbourne.

"It's quite a remarkable scene. They sort of sway in the breeze, so it's quite a sight.

"The ceiling is vaulted so we had to hang a cable across and then suspend the poppies of these, so it was quite a feat to attach them all."

Every paper poppy was hand-made by pupils from local schools and volunteers with the church.

The installation forms one part of the church's centenary celebrations. There are also hundreds of knitted poppies covering the font.

"The knitted poppies are woollen, knitted by the lady members of the history group," added Gordon.

"We've mimicked the Tower of London poppies, and have done the same effect. When it all comes together it will look really striking."

The Remembering Rodbourne project will commemorate the 56 soldiers from Rodbourne killed between 1914 and 1918.

The community history group have also asked local people to display blue plaques in their windows with the name and rank of each fallen soldier who once lived in the house.

"We're getting quite a bit of success with that as well, the font looks quite remarkable," added Gordon.

"Rodbourne is a close community, I think we've got nearly thirty people saying they will display these plaques, so that's quite good."

There will also be a remembrance wall in the church displaying cards showing the certificates of each grave, with photos and information researched by the group.

The church will be open at set times from November 3 to the 17 for people to come and view the installations. The Remembrance services at St Augustine's will take place on November 9 at 10.45am and on the Sunday November 11 at 10.45.