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Thousands of crocheted poppies in Wiltshire village tribute

BBC Organisers Sandra and Jimmy, and firefighter David Ion in uniform, standing in front of the poppiesBBC
Pictured left to right: Sandra Pearce, David Ion and Jimmy Pearce

Thousands of crocheted poppies have been hung above a war memorial ahead of Remembrance Day.

Over 2,000 were made by volunteers and put up in Redlynch, Wiltshire.

Veteran Jimmy Pearce, who is a member of the Royal British Legion, came up with the idea with his wife Sandra and said he was "surprised" to receive so many.

The display was put up with the help of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.

A camouflage net covered in crocheted poppies
Firefighters used a cherry picker to hang the camouflaged net

Mr Pearce said: "I'm very surprised by the amount, we advertised it in the parish magazine last March and came up with the idea.

"It was not until September when I asked people to hand them in so we had a chance to attach them to the camouflage net, that I found out we had over 2,000.

"It is amazing, we haven't been able to put them all on so we've got some spares which is good as a few get damaged."

He added: "This part of Wiltshire because we're right on the edge, often gets forgotten so this puts us back on the market and that's all we want."

2,000 red poppies hanging in a tree
The poppies hang over the war memorial in Redlynch

David Ion, a firefighter based at Salisbury Fire Station, said: "Remembrance is vital important and we can do whatever we can to support that.

"We like to get out in the communities whenever we can and put something good back in."

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