YOUNG artists at St. Antony's Catholic School have created a stunning Remembrance installation from over 200 clay poppies to be hung in the Urmston school's main hall throughout November.

Hung on a camouflage netting with the word 'Remember' emblazoned in the centre, the art work was unveiled by Sergeant David Jackson from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

He said: “It is a truly fantastic piece of work and I am honoured to have been asked to unveil this installation. With the numbers of surviving World War Two veterans dwindling daily, it is important for today's young people to be made aware of the ultimate sacrifice made by many brave men and women.”

He added: “This time of year is not only about remembering the two world wars, but also about the recent conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and also members of the police force, fire brigade and other services.”

Referring to the FIFA instruction for poppies not to be worn on national team shirts, he said: “It is not a political symbol; it's a human symbol; an act of remembrance. It has nothing to do with politics and our footballers should, indeed must, wear the poppy and we are glad of the support from the wider community for this cause.”

Every boy and girl from Year Seven to Nine worked on the installation, first creating their poppies from quick drying clay and then painting them in acyclic paints.

St. Antony's art teacher, Rebecca Mayall, said: “They all worked in total silence, you could have heard a pin drop.”

Sergeant Jackson, who has nearly 15 years in the service, is pictured with Eve Cook, 11, and Mason Ward, 11, from Stretford, whose brother Joshua is a serving soldier and who has just returned from Afghanistan.

Mason said: “I am incredibly proud of my brother and the poppy I made is for him.”