'Rug of remembrance' under way to honour animals in war

A project has begun to make a "rug of remembrance" out of 1,000 handmade poppies, which will honour animals who have served or died in war zones.

Three women are behind the project in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, which has already seen more than 400 purple poppies crocheted, knitted or sewn since it launched in July.

Once completed, the rug will be worn by a full-sized model horse during the town's remembrance services to honour all of the animals who have served or died in war.

Nicky Brown said she first came up with the idea after seeing the model horse standing bare at previous services. "I really felt that the animals, who served so valiantly in wartime, deserved to be visibly recognised."

She added they needed "to be celebrated more, alongside the humans that were part of the war as well".

A total of 432 purple poppies have already been produced by 25 volunteers since the start of July.

For those wishing to help the project, organisers say it would be "very much appreciated" if people could supply their own materials to make the poppies.

Some free kits are available for people to help, and can be collected from Faringdon Information Centre and Faringdon Library.

Weekly meetings to complete the project are also taking place on Tuesday's in the west Oxfordshire town.

Brown explained that those behind the scheme were hoping to have 1,000 completed purple poppies by 1 October - to give volunteers time to compile the rug.

The scheme is being supported by Faringdon Town Council and is hoped to be ready for the town's remembrance service on 8 November.

The purple poppy is worn to recognise the service and sacrifice of animals in wartime, including an estimated eight million horses that died in World War One.