SUNFLOWERS are being planted across a North-East town to mark every fallen soldier in the First World War.

People in and around the Stockton area will soon be planting sunflowers in memory of those who fought and died during the war.

The “1,245 Sunflowers” project is at the heart of events to commemorate the Great War in Yarm, Stockton, Billingham, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe and other parts of Stockton Borough.

Individuals and community groups can pick up packs of sunflower seeds from this Tuesday, to Sunday, April 27 to plant in time for the summer.

Each pack comes with a tag bearing the name of a soldier to tie around plant stalks, instructions on how to grow the flower and details of where the flower should be taken for a final commemorative event in August.

The community-led project has been inspired by Stockton’s Book of Remembrance which lists 1,245 soldiers who died during the war.

Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton Council, said: “This reflective project is a significant tribute to the young people who sacrificed their lives during the First World War, many of who were from our Borough.

“Sunflowers represent the young and vibrant lives of those who went to war and never returned.”

The flowers, which are expected to bloom at the end of the summer, will be cut down early in August as a fitting tribute to the lives lost prematurely during battle.

For more information on the project and where to get seed packets, visit www.stockton.gov.uk/events and www.1245sunflowers.org