A BLANKET of striking red poppies emerge in Castle Point after plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War were given the green light.

The council has backed proposals to plant the iconic red Flanders poppies across the borough following a proposition by Canvey councillor Grace Watson to commemorate the centenary of the start of the Great War, which began in August, 1914.

The seeds could be sown as early as this autumn and the council is considering suitable sites, such as Canvey Heights nature reserve and the gardens near Benfleet creek. The idea was approved at a full council meeting and will become part of a nationwide Real Poppy Campaign, led by the Royal British Legion.

Mrs Watson said: “I am a over the moon about this. It is something we have got to recognise. It cannot be forgotten because without the sacrifice of all those young soldiers, we would all not be here today.

“I am sure, if you think about, it we all lost someone in that war.

“It wasn’t until I started researching my own family history I realised my great grandmother had lost three sons and I just thought ‘oh my’. It must have been absolutely heart wrenching for her.”

The move comes as the Real Poppy Campaign has gone viral, after Peterborough man Stanley Kaye launched a Facebook site dedicated to the cause.

Since starting up two weeks ago, he has gained more than 500 followers from all over the globe including, Chile, Israel, Canada and Pakistan, as well as backing from the Commonwealth Graves Commission and the National Guard in America.

Britain declared war on Germany on August 4, 1914. The conflict was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28, 1914.

Millions of soldiers lost their lives before the guns finally fell silent on Armistice Day – November 11, 1918.

Peter Burch, Castle Point councillor for leisure, added: “It is a great idea to commemorate the Great War. If we can, we will be looking for prominent places to plant the poppies where they can be viewed by the public, and hopefully once they are sewn, we might continue to see them up until 2018 to mark the end of the war.”