POPPY petals floated down a street in Ross-on-Wye this morning as 30 people gathered to mark the start of the Battle of the Somme.

The town's Royal British Legion branch raised the Union Jack next to the Market Place at 7.30am and then a whistle was blown, which signified the moment the troops were sent over the top.

The petals were fixed within the flag and as the wind picked up the petals blew down Broad Street.

Nationally people have gathered to remember the start of the First World War's bloodiest battle, where more than a million men were killed or wounded on all sides.

The British and French armies fought the Germans during five months across a 15-mile front in northern France.

The British suffered 60,000 casualties on the first day alone.

Graham Aplin, RBL county chairman and Ross branch chairman, said: "It is right that we commemorate and remember the sacrifices that were given by men serving out country- king and country as it was then- during the First World War.

"It is right we do remember."

A church service was held at St Mary's the night before. In the Markye Chapel all the names of those who died in the First World War are displayed and this week there has also been a candle burning continuously.

There is also an exhibition about the soldiers from the area who were involved in the Somme.

Mr Aplin said every year in Ross the amount of people attending the Remembrance Day service grows.

The RBL had a stall by the Market Place last Friday to give out information and to commemorate the Battle of the Somme.