A SCHOOL and a village hall created striking displays for Remembrance Day.

Hand-made poppies with personal messages written on them were planted at Manningtree High School.

Every student and staff member helped create a poppy display to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Some students researched their family history and dedicated their poppy to a relative who was killed in action.

The 800 poppies were joined by silhouettes of soldiers created by the technology department.

Some students chose to plant white, black and purple poppies to reflect all those who had been affected by war.

Nick Farrow, deputy headteacher, said: “The display shone in the evening sun and then the ghostly presence of the soldiers appeared at night silently guarding the display.

“Staff, students and parents commented on how effective and moving the display was.”

Great Oakley Village Hall was filled with dozens of poppy paintings and artwork on November 8.

The hall was visited by 30 pupils from Great Oakley School who have been studying the First World War and the meaning of Remembrance Day.

A total of £430 was raised from the event for Royal British Legion.

A Dovercourt Stroke Group spokesman said: “Grateful thanks to all those who came and put their hands in their pockets and purses.”