More than 7,000 poppies made for church display

The Union Church, along with the community in Heathfield, have made more than 7,000 poppies for Remembrance Day

More than 7,000 hand-knitted poppies have been made and displayed at the gates of an East Sussex church.

Union Church pastor the Reverend Vicky Martin and local community member Tracy Williams put out a Facebook request calling on those who enjoyed crocheting to contribute to the project.

The response from the community in Heathfield "was absolutely amazing", according to Ms Martin.

She added that Ms Williams, who was the "mastermind" behind the plan, went to collect the poppies around the town and was "inundated with them from everybody".

Vicky Martin, pastor of the Union Church in Heathfield, says they were inundated with poppies from those who took part in the project

"Our house had no room in it for the last four months. Tracy was pleased to get the poppies out," Ms Martin added.

The display showcases poppies of different colours, mostly red and black, but also purple poppies for the animals and white for peace.

Ms Martin said 50 people turned up on Saturday to help put up the poppy display.

"It just seemed appropriate to make a special effort this year with everyone at war," she said.

She said the church had started holding peace vigils over ongoing conflicts around the world.

Despite the success of contributions this year, Ms Martin was uncertain whether she would ask for contributions again next year.

"We might end up getting inundated with another 7,000 poppies next year, we could become known known as the 'poppy town'," she added.