MENSTON will remember those who died in the First World War by staging a special festival this weekend.

Echoes of War runs at the Parish Church from Saturday, September 23 to Sunday, September 24 - with a Friday preview - and will feature flower arrangements, textile hangings, live music and more.

The event will also include larger displays in the church grounds including, as many villagers will have spotted already, an 'above ground' replica of a wartime trench in the church grounds.

The displays, including textile hangings from the Threads of War exhibition and Poppy paintings by Menston schoolchildren, can be viewed from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and from noon to 5.30pm on Sunday.

The Festival programme describes the event as: "Part of Menston's ongoing remembrance of the First World War and, especially in 2017, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.

"Officially known as the Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele was fought from July 31 to November 6, 1917.

"Some of the war's defining images of the trenches, gas attacks, mud and futility come from these battlefields.

"About 325,000 Allied troop and 260,000 Germans died in the battle."

The flower arrangements have been chosen to reflect specific events from 1917, including the US declaring war on Germany, The Battle of Passchendaele, and the role of Land Girls, nurses and Canary Girls.

Other displays in the churchyard, meanwhile, will include a bank of nearly 2,000 poppies that were knitted by some 60 volunteers, plus artwork depicting one of the first tanks.

Admission to the festival is free with programmes costing £3 and refreshments available.

The whole event begins with a preview at 7.30pm on Friday, September 22 when Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Major Stan Hardy will declare the event open.

Tickets for the preview, which include a glass of wine, canapes and the programme, cost £7 and will also be available on the door.

A concert on Saturday evening, Light Perpetual, will see St Peter's Singers perform Faure's Requiem while Trio Literati will recite a selection of war poetry. Tickets cost £12 and will also be available on the door.

A 6pm Songs of Praise service on Sunday, meanwhile, will bring the festival to a conclusion.

The Festival Committee will be donating 30 per cent of the proceeds - after expenses - to the Royal British Legion and the rest to St John's Church.