THOUSANDS of poppies are to be sown in Ribble Valley to commemorate the fallen of the First World War.

Ribble Valley Mayor Michael Ranson is presenting schools and parishes in the borough with poppy seeds for commemorative gardens marking the 100th anniversary of the war.

The poppy seeds are part of an ambitious scheme to plant trees and sow commemorative gardens in Ribble Valley's 35 parishes in memory of around 1,000 young men from the borough who fought and died during the conflict.

The 100th anniversary of Britain’s involvement in the First World War takes place on August 4, and will herald commemorative events throughout the country.

From 2014 until the 100th anniversary of the official ceasefire, or Armistice Day, on 11 November 2018, communities across the world will come together to remember those who lived, fought and died in the war.

As Ribble Valley did not exist until 1974, precise records of the number of fallen in the borough do not exist, but it is believed to be around 1,000.