Three short whistle blasts will sound out in Tideford to mark the moment, 100 years ago, when the first soldiers went ‘over the top’ at the Battle of the Somme.

A ceremony organised by Tideford’s Royal British Legion on Friday (July 1), will commemorate the first day of the longest battle of the First World War’s Western Front.

More than one million men were wounded or killed between July 1 and November 18, 1916.

During the ceremony, which begins at 7.30am at Tideford War Memorial, a wreath of poppies and cornflowers will be laid, said RBL president Muriel Hocking.