THE project to cover a York church in poppies to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War is gaining amazing backing from all over the country.

Linda Lacy, who will shortly become president of The Inner Wheel Club of York, has collected almost 3,000 knitted, crocheted and felt poppies, with hundreds more arriving at her home every week.

"The support has been overwhelming," she said.

The poppies will be attached to army camouflage netting which will be draped down each side of All Saints Church in Pavement to create a huge and spectacular art installation.

The Press reported last November how priest-in-charge Jane Nattrass was planning to ask knitting and crochet enthusiasts, schoolchildren and church and community groups to create as many as 180,000 of them.

Mrs Lacy, of Badgerhill, said that after reading the story, she decided to support the worthy cause as her community project for 2018/2019.

"I originally hoped for 500 poppies, but with the support from the ladies of The Inner Wheel Club of York, Ainsty and Vikings, Rotarian wives and friends, friends at home and abroad, I have been given nearly 3,000 knitted , crocheted and felt poppies," she said.

"The Blackhall, Edinburgh, knit and natter group have embraced the poppy project. They have connections to the Scottish Regiments and are delighted to contribute towards the centenary celebrations of the armistice.

"It seems everybody has some connection with the past wars, and remember those who gave their lives for us."

She revealed how, while travelling to Edinburgh last November 11 on the 11 am train, she sat next to a young woman from Sheffield who was knitting a Dr Who scarf for her son, and she mentioned the knitted poppies project.

"She found the red wool in her backpack, and asked me to talk the pattern through while she cast on 60 stitches," she said. "We arrived at Edinburgh with three rows to finish the poppy. She remained on the train to let people get off and so finished the poppy. I was so grateful."

The Rev Nattrass asked people to keep their poppies until September, when groups would be brought together to attach them to the camouflage netting.