A CRAFT project to mark the First World War Centenary is taking off in Weymouth.

Volunteers aim to make 3,000 paper doves, a symbol of peace, for the '100 Years On' project – and they need your support creating them.

Schools, community groups, churches and veterans are getting involved.

It will culminate in a magnificent display when the doves will be suspended from the ceiling of St Mary's Church on Saturday, November 3.

A craft session took place on Saturday when 186 doves were created at the Veterans Hub, Wyke Regis.

Another session, to which everyone is invited, takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, October 10 from 10am-12noon at Weymouth Library. Further sessions will be held at the library at the same times on Wednesdays October 17 and 24.

Julie Hursthouse, community development officer for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “Through working with the Westham Community Group, we have been fortunate enough to receive 20 'Silent Soldiers', life size silhouettes of WW1 soldiers made from Perspex from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund."

She added: "We really would like to encourage everyone to join in with this project as a mark of respect but to also send a message of peace and hope by making the doves. We would still like to hear from anyone who would like to come along to the event to speak about the experiences of what our service people went through."

Primary schools in Weymouth are helping with the project, helping to educate children about those who fought and died in the First World War.

Jo Neale from St Nicholas & St Laurence School at Broadwey said: “This is a fantastic project and I know the children will enjoy making the doves and writing the thank you letters and poems – they are studying WW1 at the moment and we are very excited to be part of this great project.”

If you would like to know more about the project contact Julie Hursthouse on 01305 838497 or email jhursthouse@dorset.gov.uk