THOUSANDS of poppies have been used to turn landmark churches in Selby and York red to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Five professional roofers from Furniss & Sons gave their services free to help clergy and members of the congregation of All Saints Church, Pavement, attach 30,000 memorial flowers to its east end and north wall with the work finished by mid-afternoon on Saturday.

The Rev Canon Derek Earis said the church was very grateful for the team taking part because they had the specialist skills and knowledge to enable the project to succeed.

The flowers have been made over the last 12 months by congregation members and well-wishers both in this country and abroad.

All Saints is the regimental church of the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Guild and Civic Church of York.

Meanwhile Selby Abbey is looking resplendent in red after it was decorated with thousands of knitted poppies which have been attached to cargo netting to cascade down the roof and walls as well as being placed all over the abbey to commemorate the end of the centenary of the end of the conflict.