Battle of the Somme: Our region's stories

60,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

One of them was Fred Francis from Carlisle. He was shot and wasn't expected survive - but did. He spoke to us in the 1980's about what he went through that day:

Thousands of soldiers who died in the Battle of the Somme will be remembered today as the country pays tribute to those who were killed in the historic battle which began 100 years ago on July 1, 1916.

Vigils have been held across the Border region to remember our soldiers:

People gathered in Stranraer to remember those who lost their lives 100 years ago today at the Battle of the Somme.

Local veteran, George Harvey, laid flowers in memory of the men who 'gave their lives for freedom and democracy, for their families and friends they had left at home'.

Pupils from a primary school in Penrith are in France for the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

North Lakes School is the only one from the North West of England to be chosen to represent the UK at the official commemorations tomorrow.

Our reporter, Tim Backshall, met the students ahead of their journey.

Pupils from a primary school in Penrith are now in France, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

North Lakes School is the only one from the north-west of England chosen to represent the UK at the official commemorations.

Thousands of men from Cumbria and the south of Scotland fought and died in the Battle of the Somme, 100 years ago this week.

The Border Regiment lost around 1700 men and the Kings Own Scottish Borderers about a thousand.

But there are also some remarkable stories of men who survived against all the odds. Tim Backshall met two grandsons of Somme soldier survivors: