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In pictures: Poppy displays across southern England

BBC LyndhurstBBC
Hundreds of knitted woollen poppies have been laid outside St Michael and All Angels church in Lyndhurst

As the country marks Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, creative displays have appeared at locations around the south of England.

Poppy displays made of wool, toppers for post boxes and poppy cascades made from plastic drinks bottles have all been made by individuals and community groups.

This year marks the centenary of the Royal British Legion and the poppy fund, which was set up in the years after World War One to help veterans and their families.

The nation paused for a two minute silence at 11:00 GMT - exactly 103 years after the armistice which ended World War One.

Nicky Stoneman Knitted post boxNicky Stoneman
Nicky Stoneman began crocheting several years ago

Nicky Stoneman crocheted a post box topper depicting a World War One soldier on her street in Cosham.

She said she has been "overwhelmed" by the reaction from people seeing it in the street and sharing pictures on social media.

"I hope it prompted discussion and awareness of what it symbolises and the wonderful Royal British Legion (RBL) charity which does fantastic work with the armed forces.

"The RBL is a charity close to my heart having worked with the Royal Navy for over 20 years," she added.

Nicky Stoneman Post box topperNicky Stoneman
The post box topper on Burrill Avenue in Cosham is seen by local children on their way to school
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Hook in Bloom Hook poppy drapesHook in Bloom
Poppy drapes have been placed throughout Hook

In Hook, hundreds of volunteers have been knitting individual woollen poppies since the beginning of the year.

They have been put on 28 drapes around the Hampshire town by the Hook in Bloom group.

Hook in Bloom Woollen post box toppersHook in Bloom
Woollen post box toppers have also appeared in Hook
Hook in Bloom Poppy drapesHook in Bloom
Twenty-eight poppy drapes have been created in Hook
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Fiona Hooper Poppy displayFiona Hooper
About 1,000 plastic bottles were used to create the cascading display

In Dorchester, Fiona Hooper has made a cascade of poppies, each individually cut out from the bottom of plastic fizzy drinks bottles.

Ms Hooper said she started work on the project in January and estimated she used about 1,000 bottles to create the display at her house on Monmouth Road, many donated by friends and neighbours.

She has raised more than £500 for the RAF Benevolent Fund.

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The knitted poppies have been placed outside St Michael and All Angels church in Lyndhurst

In Lyndhurst in the New Forest, a "river" of knitted poppies has been created on a bank outside St Michael and All Angels church in the centre of the village.

More of the poppies have been placed around the altar inside the church.

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Bracknell Forest Council Roundabout poppiesBracknell Forest Council
Giant poppies are on display on several roundabouts in Bracknell

In Bracknell, a number of large poppies have been placed on roundabouts by the council to mark Remembrance Day.

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Derek Maidment Greyfriars Community CentreDerek Maidment
Greyfriars Community Centre's poppy display has been created by the WI

Members of the Ringwood Afternoon Women's Institute knitted more woollen poppies which are adorning the front of Greyfriars Community Centre.

The display also has a number of purple poppies as a tribute to animals killed in conflict.

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