A YORK MP has planted poppies as part of a project to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War.

The Poppy Road Poppy Project is aiming to create wildflower meadows along Poppleton Road, in memory of those killed in the conflict, including Flanders poppies.

The meadows will be planted in April to flower in July, in time for the centenary period.

Three areas for the project have been provided by City of York Council.

York Central MP Hugh Bayley said: “The new meadows will be an asset to the community and will educate children about the loss of life in the First World War and conflicts taking place in other parts of the world today.”

The project has raised £400 from individual contributions and companies such as Waitrose, CPP and Benenden Healthcare, with Holgate Windmill Preservation Society and Poppleton Road Primary School also involved.

More information is at poppyroadpoppyproject.org or from the group’s next meeting at 8pm on April 8 at Holgate Working Men’s Club.

Project secretary Clea Grady said: “The project is for our community and only made possible by local support – we are delighted with the donations so far, and humbled by the stories and reasons behind them.”