Justin Welby: Battle of Somme a reminder of human evil

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme is a reminder of the "human evil" in the world.

Almost 60,000 people died on the first day of the battle, with one million soldiers either killed, injured or missing, over the course of the 141-day offensive.

Speaking to ITV News presenter Mark Austin at the Thiepval cemetery in France, Justin Welby cited "complacency about peace" as the "biggest disaster we could ever have".

The cemetery commemorates 72,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers who have no known grave.

"Each one represents a life created, lived, given by God, value of infinite dignity - and lost", he added.

Quoting Wilfred Owen, Welby said: "We need to remember the cost of war and the pity of war. We need to remember how we fell in to it.

"We need to be constantly be aware of the human evil and the tendency towards war so we do not go there."