Great War centenary to be marked with thousands of cultural events

A British soldier pays his respects at the grave of a colleague in 1915. Credit: PA

Britain will mark the centenary of the First World War next year with thousands of plays, performances and exhibitions.

Details of a four-year cultural programme to remember those who fought in the Great War and lost their lives were released today.

ITV News Special Correspondent Rageh Omaar reports:

More than 2,000 events are set to be staged between 2014-2018.

With no known survivors of the 1914-1918 conflict, the diverse range of historical works is aimed at sharing their stories.

The new events are part of the Imperial War Museum's First World War Centenary Partnership Programme - a network of over 1,800 cultural and educational not-for-profit organisations from 37 countries.

British infantrymen occupying a trench during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Credit: PA