A Sandbach church is treating visitors to a special display this Remembrance Day – thanks to talented worshippers and a bellringer.

Historic St Mary's Church in the centre of Sandbach asked parishioners to crochet or knit poppies for a display at the church.

And so many came forward with hand-made poppies that the church was able to make a display inside and outside with a poppy cascade. 

The poppies have been displayed around a soldier made from wire and his brother sits by the War Memorial in Market Square.

A spokesperson for St Mary's said: "It started as an idea, comparatively late on around August and September this year.

"Initially, we asked members of our church community to start knitting. Word spread out and we set up a donation/collection box in church for wool and/or finished poppies.

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"From then poppies appeared regularly – often dropped off anonymously. Around the same time, one of our talented bell ringers produced a 'ghost soldier' who appeared in the church yard.

"We were really keen to work on a joint project for Remembrance and the beautiful poppy cascade was his inspiration.

"This is the first year we have done anything like this so it's been a bit of a learning curve and a bit last minute.

"Tommy, the original soldier has been moved inside church where he is surrounded by a poppy cascade. His 'brother' sits by the war memorial.

"There are also poppies along the church railings on both sides of the church."

St Mary's Church where the display is.

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Anyone is welcome to go and see the display and the church has said a big thank you to everyone who has helped in anyway.  

"Every single poppy has been used and will be stored away for next year. We definitely intend to build on this and plan to expand next year and would certainly like to spread the displays further afield," the spokesperson added.