ABOUT ten million poppy seeds have been sown across Test Valley to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Knightwood Road, Templars Way and Crusader Way, Valley Park and the War Memorial Park in Romsey have all been sown.

The council say the seedlings are starting to sprout and should be a blaze of scarlet in the summer.

Portfolio-holder for community and leisure, Tony Ward, said: “The poppies will be a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the fields and trenches of the First World War battle grounds.

"As the only flower to bloom after the devastation of the war it is a fitting symbol of our remembrance.”

Amixture of other flower seeds has been sown along with the poppies to provide a succession of colour later in the year.