REDDITCH Council will be in the dark next month to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War.

The council will be taking part in a dramatic nationwide event called ‘Lights Out’ in which everyone involved will turn off their lights between 10pm and 11pm on August 4, leaving only a single light or candle on during this time.

All external and internal lights at the town hall will be switched off for an hour in line with the Lights Out event.

Lights Out is a headline project of the cultural programme 14-18 NOW and was initiated by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport.

John Godwin, head of leisure and cultural services at the council, said: “The Lights Out event is linked closely to the Royal British Legion and is expected to be one of the biggest participatory events ever seen in the UK.

"It is very important we recognise the anniversary of the First World War and I would encourage everyone to get involved."

Every member of every community in the UK is invited to take part in Lights Out, bringing their own personal thoughts and reflections to the occasion, with many people thinking of the famous quote: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time” – Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary in August 1914.

For more information on Lights Out, see 1418now.org.uk/whats-on/lights-out.