Battle of the Somme events to mark 100th anniversary

A memorial service was held at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff

A two-minute silence has been observed to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Battle of the Somme.

It took place at 07:28 BST on Friday and follows events including an overnight vigil in Cardiff.

The battle in northern France was one of the bloodiest of World War One - with 19,240 British soldiers dying on the first day.

Remembrance services take place around the UK to mark the battle, which began on 1 July 1916 and lasted five months.

An overnight vigil concluded with a public service at the National War Memorial in Cardiff at 07:00.

On Friday morning, Swansea's Morrison Orpheus Choir will sing at a memorial event at Thiepval in northern France.

Around Wales, churches will be hosting community events.

At the Llangollen War Memorial in Denbighshire, a whistle will be blown at 07:30, followed by a remembrance event at 10:50.

Events will continue through the day, with St Mary's Church, Welshpool, Powys, holding a service at 18:00.

The battle was one of the bloodiest of World War One

A lit trench lantern is taken to the Welsh National War Memorial, Cardiff

The lit lantern at the memorial