PEOPLE of all ages are uniting to pay their respects and mark 100 years since the end of the First World War.

There have already been a number of huge displays and events ahead of Remembrance Sunday this weekend.

Hundreds of knitted poppies have been put on display, creating a poppy wave at the Royals Shopping Centre in Southend.

The display will also be exhibited at the Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff on Sunday.

A number of Tommy soldier silhouettes have been installed, including four in Southend, two in Rochford and one of the ones in Basildon supported by the Echo.

About 12,000 hand-made poppies have gone on display creating a cascading river of red is on display at Holy Trinity Church, Rayleigh.

Schools have also been joining in with a range of activities.

Bournes Green Infant School, Burlescoombe Road, Southend, took part in a number of fun and educational activities with artefacts on display for pupils to learn more about what life was like 100 years ago.

A community project that works with school and remembers fallen soldiers also unveiled a special memorial. Members of the Forget Never Sacrifice and Legacy Project in Basildon opened the Empty Chair memorial at the Lochnagar Crater, at the Somme, France, alongside representatives from the twin towns of Meaux and Heiligenhaus.