Knitted poppies are pouring in for a special town centre display to mark the centenary of the end of the first world war on Remembrance Sunday — but Mansfield District Council is appealing for more people to get involved.

The council is aiming to build on last year’s successful appeal, in which the Old Town Hall was decorated with more than 8,000 poppies knitted by hundreds of volunteers.

This year it is hoped local people can add another 10,000 poppies to the display in an attempt to cover the whole Market Place.

An earlier appeal for people to donate plastic bottle tops has been so successful that the authority has enough to create a bottle-top mosaic of poppies and no more are needed.

The knitted poppy decorations will adorn part of the route of the Remembrance Day parade, which goes through the town centre via West Gate and into the Market Place on the way to St Peter’s Church.

The council decided to organise last year’s knitted poppy appeal following the success of the authority’s yarn bombing display for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations in 2016.

The poppies project has been followed by other towns, including Sutton and Kirkby.

Among the groups who have been busy with knitting needles are residents of the Poppy Fields extra care sheltered housing complex, and Flint Avenue Community Group, Forest Town, which is organised by the deputy mayor of Mansfield, Coun Mick Barton.

He said: “Last year our members made a fantastic contribution to the display and this year they are busy again, creating another amazing array of knitted and crocheted poppies.

“I hope other groups and individuals feel inspired to get involved because we want everyone to see just how much Mansfield cares about its Armed Forces.”

The Royal British Legion (RBL) is again supporting the call for individuals and groups in the local community to contribute to the display.

Poppies can be taken to the Civic Centre, Mansfield, marked for the attention of the marketing and communications team.

They will be collected until 21 September and various opportunities will be held in the Market Place throughout October in which people can help tie the poppies to the camouflage nets.

People can also write messages on a commemoration board at the same time.

The displays will be installed during the week prior to Remembrance Sunday, 11th November.

Anyone interested in helping can speak to the events team on 01623 463376 or email [email protected]

Details and poppy knitting patterns to download can be found at www.mansfield.gov.uk/poppies