A FAMILY history society has commemorated the centenary of the First World War by honouring the fallen in fabric and thread.

Sedgefield Family History Group in County Durham is taking part in a national project to create a series of patchwork quilts paying tribute to individual soldiers who fought and died in the Great War.

Over the last few months, group member Sue Wade has embroidered the names of all 42 men on the Sedgefield war memorial on to 10cm by 10cm cotton squares

Her friend, Trish Harrison, has then attached hand stitched poppies in a range of pretty red fabrics, before sending the finished squares to the Federation of Family History Societies.

The Federation will create large wall hangings and patchwork quilts from the squares, which it hopes to exhibit in venues across the UK.

Each group and individual who has taken part made a minimum donation of £3.50 and more than £4,000 has been raised for Help for Heroes and Quilts for Injured Servicemen so far.

Sylvia Hall, of Sedgefield Family History Group, said: “We are very pleased to have taken part in this project. We think it is a wonderful way to ensure these men are never forgotten.”

For more information about the project contact Philippa McCray on ww1centenaryquilt@btinternet.com