Norfolk County Council has issued a plea for schoolchildren, community groups and creative individuals to help it amass a sea of poppies next year.

Eastern Daily Press: Blofield Primary School pupils with poppies they have made. Picture: Norfolk County CouncilBlofield Primary School pupils with poppies they have made. Picture: Norfolk County Council (Image: Norfolk County Council)

The county council is hoping to accumulate more than 15,000 poppies to create a display to mark the centenary of Armistice Day in 2018, 100 years to the day after the end of the First World War.

The council is hoping to create a sea of poppies across the county, with a poppy for each of the 15,525 Norfolk people that gave their lives during the First World War, an appeal that has already been backed by Blofield Primary School.

With such a significant number of poppies required to make the impactful display, pupils at the school have already got to work with creating the instantly recognisable symbols, as they look to give the council a head start.

Margaret Dewsbury, chairman of the council's communities committee said: 'Listed on the county's war memorials are the names of the 15,525 men and woman who gave their lives during the First World War and we wish to remember them with a handmade poppies.

Eastern Daily Press: Blofield Primary School pupils with poppies they have made. Picture: Norfolk County CouncilBlofield Primary School pupils with poppies they have made. Picture: Norfolk County Council (Image: Norfolk County Council)

'All the poppies will be displayed in Norwich in the lead up to the Armistice and then these will be shared out amongst Norfolk's 47 libraries as a representation of just how many people from the county died during the conflict.'

Poppies created should be no larger than 10cm by 10cm (4in by 4in), but can be made in any way people are able.

Templates for poppies can be found on the Norfolk in World War One website, which was initially set up in 2013 by Norfolk Regimental Museum, Norfolk Record Office and Norfolk Library and Information Service to share stories, memories and information about projects regarding the war.

Mrs Dewsbury added: 'The website has offered a great insight into people's experiences and now we have decided on a physical memorial.'

Eastern Daily Press: Blofield Primary School pupils with poppies they have made. Picture: Norfolk County CouncilBlofield Primary School pupils with poppies they have made. Picture: Norfolk County Council (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Poppies can be made from a variety of different materials, from felt and wool, to paper, crepe paper and other options.

For full details about the project, or to download a template, visit the Norfolk in World War One website. Finished poppies can be handed in to any of the county's libraries.