CORN poppies will be planted in six cemeteries in Monmouthshire to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One in 1914.

Monmouthshire County Council will plant the poppies in flower beds used for annual plants and the seeds will be offered to town and community councils for use at the county's war memorials.

Cllr Phil Hobson, cabinet member responsible for the county's cemeteries and the environment, said: "This is our way of marking the outbreak of a war that claimed over 16 million lives and had a profound impact on our society throughout the 20th century and beyond.

"We feel that this is an appropriate and dignified way to pay tribute to the sacrifices made in that conflict and I hope it will encourage people to find out about it for themselves."

He continued: "I was very keen to make this announcement in Remembrance week, especially as the company from whom we are buying the seeds will make a donation to the Royal British Legion."