Ten thousand knitted poppies go on display in town

Volunteers spent eight weeks putting the knitted poppies together into a drape

A knitted display of 10,000 poppies have gone on display in a seaside town ahead of Remembrance Day.

Southport town centre has been decorated with a colourful poppy drape which has been crafted by volunteers from the Southport Hookers group over several months.

The group's founder Suzanne Urquhart said the display reflected "what a fabulous community spirit we have here in Southport".

The installation, measuring 12m (39ft) by 2m (6.5ft), has been unveiled on Remembrance Gardens on Lord Street.

The yarn bombing group, who have worked closely with Southport Royal British Legion, created the display to honour the people who have lost their lives in war, with purple poppies also honouring the many animals that also died in conflict.

The Southport Hookers said they were overwhelmed with poppy donations

They have also created crochet poppies to surround the planters in the gardens, as well as Remembrance themed post-box toppers.

The Southport Hookers group, founded just over a year ago, are known for their crochet post-box topper creations.

Sefton council leader, councillor Marion Atkinson to the right, with poppy volunteers from the Royal British Legion

Ms Urquhart said the group was overwhelmed with knitted poppy donations for the drape.

“We are really pleased with how it has turned out," she said.

“What a fabulous community spirit we have here in Southport.

“Each poppy has been lovingly made and are all different which we think adds to the beautiful display".

Southport Royal British Legion Chair Major Nick McEntee thanked the group for the drape which he said looked like it was cascading from the sky.