A SERIES of special commemorative events will take place in Clacton to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

The town's commemorations kick off on Saturday, November 10, when the East Essex Aviation Society will construct a full-size replica of a First World War tank in the town square.

Expected to take around five hours to build, at 3pm there will be a short inspection of the tank as well as society members, who will be in replica uniform, by Tendring Council chairman Mark Platt.

The team will then stay with the tank overnight, and members of the public are invited to stop by and view the replica.

From 6am on Sunday, November 11, at Clacton War Memorial, piper Charlie Jones will join more than a thousand other pipers across the world who are simultaneously playing the iconic Battle’s O’er.

The annual Remembrance Parade will kick off from Clacton Town Hall at 10.25am.

Led by marshal Jamie Robison and the Colchester Scout Band, dignitaries will take a salute before the procession passes the replica tank and down to the seafront memorial.

A service will be led by Reverend David Lower, with hymns accompanied by the Salvation Army Band, and a silence.

Mr Platt will light a beacon at The Naze, Walton, at 7pm on Sunday as part of the national Beacon of Light Battle’s Over event.

He said: “It is important that we remember those who sacrificed their lives in the First World War, and all conflicts, every year – but this year, being the 100th anniversary, will be particularly poignant.

“Every year Clacton turns out in force to watch the parade and join our Remembrance Service, but I would ask that in 2018 everyone makes an extra effort to come and show their respect.

“By sharing this moment of remembrance together we can collectively hope to learn lessons from our past, and look to avoid repeating bloody conflict again in the future.”

Throughout Remembrance Sunday Lemmings Theatre is also hosting art project Pages by the Sea, a national initiative led by Oscar winning director Danny Boyle, which is part of the Imperial War Museum's 14-18 Now project.

Between 9am and 1pm stencils will be used to create images in the sand on West Beach, which will wash away as the tide comes in.

Music and poetry will round off the days events and all are invited to join in the festivities.

For more information or to find out how to get involved, visit www.pagesofthesea.org.uk.

There also due to be beacons lit at Holland Haven, Ardleigh, and Harwich, and many parishes will be holding their own Remembrance Day commemorations.