The centenary of the outbreak of the First World War was commemorated at a vigil in Whittlesey last night.

Members of the Royal British Legion’s Whittlesey branch organised the vigil, at the town’s war memorial, with the legion standard and the Cambridgeshire Regiment Old Comrades Association standard both raised.

Candles were also lit at the memorial, with all but one blown out shortly before 11pm, the time 100 years ago that Britain declared war on Germany.

Judy Darby, the town’s Poppy Appeal organiser, read out a short poem from the First World War and Whittlesey councillor Ken Mayor, legion branch chairman, read the Exhortation.

Cllr Mayor, whose grandfather was killed in the First World War, said: “The legion held its monthly meeting on Sunday and we agreed to hold a vigil to commemorate the war effort with the standard raised.

“A group of about 20 residents also joined us for the vigil and placed candles on the memorial.”