POPPIES have always been a poignant symbol of the battlefields of the First World War, and at Woodford Valley Primary Academy in Middle Woodford the children have been using images of the flower to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict.

Pupils used all sorts of mediums and materials, from paint to crayons to come up with their own representations of the poppies for an exhibition in the school hall.

Parents and friends could come along to the display and buy the artwork, with money raised going to forces charity Help for Heroes.

Representatives of the charity also came along to the exhibition, on Monday, to support the children and see their work.