THE centenary of the First World War will be commemorated with a host of events across the borough.

Memorial services are taking place across Reading on Sunday, August 3, the day before the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One, which cost millions of lives and forever changed the world.

Reading Museum is playing host to a summer of special events and its Reading at War exhibition which chronicles the town and its residents’ history during the period is on show until September 14.

People can search for their own lost ties to the First World War in a 'Find Your Ancestors’ event at Battle Library on Saturday from 10.30am-3pm. Booking is advised for this personal history taster session and places can be reserved at a cost of £10, or £8 for members, by emailing libraryevents@reading.gov.uk

Christ Church in Reading will be among those holding services with a Stations of Remembrance at 3pm on Sunday, August 3.

At the same time, a service will take place at the war memorial in School Road in Tilehurst, when the names of the fallen listed on the memorial will be read out.

St John the Baptist Church and St Peter’s Church in Caversham will join forces with St Margaret in Mapledurham on Sunday, August 3, to remember those who lost their lives.

The Reverend Mike Smith said: “As we remember the beginning of the First World War and the subsequent horrors and tragedy that followed, we as churches want to take the opportunity to remember those dark days and the fragility of our own world, and to pray for peace.”

Services take place at 9.45am at St Peter’s Church, 10am at St John the Baptist and 11am at St Margaret.

Thousands of poppy seeds were sown across the borough late last year and flowers are now in full bloom at key locations.

Reading’s council leader Jo Lovelock said: “We felt that the sowing of poppy seeds at a number of prominent locations across the town would be a fitting way of marking 100 years since the start of the Great War to communities across Reading.

“We hope it will prompt people to take a few minutes to stop and think about the many men and women who lost their lives in defence of our country and communities across the world.”