Thousands of handmade poppies create spectacular red waterfall down historic village church

Thousands of handmade red poppies have transformed the exterior of a historic village church into a spectacular waterfall of remembrance ahead of November 11.

More than 200 volunteers have spent months knitting and crocheting an astonishing 6,250 poppies, which now cascade down the 50ft bell tower of St Peter’s Church in Inkberrow, Worcestershire.

The striking installation creates the illusion of a flowing river of blood-red flowers spilling from the medieval building towards the village war memorial, where the names of those killed in two world wars are commemorated.

Organisers had originally hoped to produce 4,000 poppies in time for Remembrance Day but the community effort proved so popular that they exceeded their target by an incredible 2,500.

The project brought together people aged from six to 92, with volunteers gathering at events in The Old Bull Inn, which is said to have inspired The Bull pub in BBC Radio 4's long-running drama The Archers.

The appeal even reached overseas, with hundreds of handmade poppies sent from Lanzarote by British expats and supporters of war veterans after organisers put out a call on social media for help.

The display carries particular significance for the village, which lost 34 men during the First and Second World Wars.

Churchwarden Melanie Hart, one of the co-ordinators behind this year's project, said the idea had quickly grown into a major community undertaking.

She said: “We soon got things going with the Women's Institute and when many more people within the village became involved it snowballed.

"One lady told us how knitting the poppies had helped after losing her dog, which had always sat on her lap at night, giving her a new focus.

“That we smashed our target so quickly and by so much reflects how greatly so many people respect those who fought and fell for our freedom and will do whatever they can to honour them.”

The project has also provided a way for younger generations to learn about the sacrifices made during the conflicts, with families stopping to admire the installation and discuss its meaning.

One villager said the display was a powerful reminder of the human cost of war.

They said: "It is a spectacular illustration of the sacrifices which so many made in the world wars.

"I've seen parents stop with their children to look at the display and explain to them what it means and that is so good to see. We simply must remember what those young men and women did for us."