Shoppers young and old are taking part in the Idlewells Shopping Centre’s World War One memorial mural at Sutton.

Following a minute’s silence, led by representatives of the Kirkby Royal British Legion, Bob Lee, the centre’s resident artist, got his week-long Paint a Poppy workshop under way.

Two 8’ x 4’ canvases have been pre-painted by Bob, featuring the iconic Flanders Fields battlefields. Visitors to the centre are invited to make their mark by painting or sticking on a poppy, or writing a message.

On Saturday, 9th August, Bob will have mini-canvases available for visitors to create their own mini-masterpiece to take home.

He is providing tuition and poppy-painting guidance throughout the week.

Visitors can make their mark from 11am–3pm until Saturday and the canvases will be on display for the week following that.

Requests have already been received from a local organisation wishing to display the canvasses following completion, with plans to permanently house them in the Idlewells after that.

Ends.