THOUSANDS of poppies are on show at a town hall after residents gave up several hours of their spare time to create an incredible display.

Back in August Witham Town Council asked people to donate and help knit the poppies which adorn the town hall in Newland Street.

The response to the appeal has been described as overwhelming with more than three thousand knitted poppies donated as well as other artwork and crafts.

It was organised by Geraldine Kennedy, assistant town clerk, and saw every donated poppy carefully stitched to a giant canvas net inside the council chamber.

James Sheehy, deputy town clerk, said: "We hadn’t anticipated such an overwhelming response from so many local citizens and community groups.

"When the council asked in good faith for the town to pull together to create something special for the centenary of the First World War we never expected such an incredible response from the hundreds that took part in the poppy drive."

All of poppies gifted to the remembrance display will be donated to the Royal British Legion and all those who contributed to the poppy drive have been recognised in a public listing on display in the town hall’s information centre.

As part of the council’s First World War Centenary Commemorations Working Group, the list will be donated to the Essex Record Office for inclusion in Witham’s historical archives.

The display is expected to remain in place until Friday, November 16.