TWO East Lancashire women will join a tribute to those who died in the First World war tomorrow as 2,200 members of the Royal British Legion march through Ypres in Belgium.

Mandy Brennan, 61, from Chatburn, and Amy Thompson, 44, from Haslingden will both carry standards to the Menin Gate memorial to mark the centenary of the start of the 100 Days Offensive which ended of the 1914/1918 conflict.

They are taking part in the 'Great Pilgrimage 90'.

They will represent their local Royal British Legion branches at an event which started on the First World War battlefields of France on Sunday before arriving in Ypres, the site of three of the conflict's battles.

The trip is a recreation of the 1928 'Great Pilgrimage' when 11,000 visited the same battlefields to mark the tenth anniversary of the start of the final offensive of The First World War which also ended at the Menin Gate.

This year 2,200 members of The Royal British Legion representing communities from across the UK and around the world will take part carrying 1,100 standards.

A service of commemoration will take place under the gate marking the start of The Hundred Days Offensive, including a reading by the Archbishop of York, The Most Rev John Sentamu.

With music provided by The Central Band of The Royal British Legion. 1,100 wreaths will be laid which will contain messages written by school children from across the UK.

Mrs Brennan, a former army nurse and midwife said: “I will be there to pay homage to those who fought in the war, both those who died and those who survived. My grandfather Frank Alexander Sims served in Egypt during the conflict as a very young man.

"The Chatburn and District branch is only very small but it’ll be an honour to go on this pilgrimage to represent it.

“Each year we raise funds for the Poppy Appeal and I host a cheese and wine event in my own back garden which raises about £2,000 for the Legion. As a former Service woman and an Army wife, I know just how important it is to support this community of people so I’m always happy to do my bit.”

Mrs Thompson, landlady of The Commercial pub in Haslingden, helped resurrect her local Royal British Legion branch and believes a great uncle fought in the war.

She said: “My husband and I wanted to support the Legion as we thought it was such a shame that the branch and club had closed down. We often hold branch meetings in our living room and our committee is very dedicated.

“Dave and I don’t have a Forces background but we like to help those who have served and those still serving. It’s nice to give something back.

"I am looking forward to the pilgrimage as I am interested in visiting the battlegrounds and paying my respects to those who gave their lives for us in the First World War. I think it will be a very humbling experience.

"It will be an important and poignant event to be involved in. I think its going to be very emotional."

Bob Gamble, The Royal British Legion’s Head of Commemorative Events, said: “Ninety years to the day tomorrow more than 2,200 members of The Royal British Legion will carry standards and wreaths along the same route to the Menin Gate in Belgium, to commemorate the last 100 days of World War One thereby representing an entire generation that served while defending their country.

“That pilgrimage culminated in a march through Ypres to the Commonwealth War Grave Commission’s Menin Gate Memorial in remembrance of those who never returned.”