100th anniversary of WWI bombardments

Tributes have been paid this morning to those killed on the North Yorkshire coastline in the First World War bombardments exactly 100 years ago. Hundreds of shells rained down on Scarborough before German warships attacked Whitby in 1914. Twenty people were killed and hundreds more injured. There has been a flotilla in Scarborough where wreaths were placed on the water.

A memorial service is taking place at St Mary's Church in Scarborough to remember the 18 people from the town killed when German warships fired shells at the town exactly 100 years ago.

Tributes will be paid this morning to those killed on the North Yorkshire coastline in the First World War bombardments exactly 100 years ago.

Hundreds of shells rained down on Scarborough before German warships attacked Whitby in 1914. 20 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

Lindy Rowley is from the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre.

Nine days before Christmas in 1914 was the major turning point in the Great War resulting in thousands signing up to fight.

That is because it was the first time the Germans had killed civillians on home soil. The seaside town of Scarborough was one target and 18 people were killed there.

Now a group of volunteers are trying to trace their relatives in time for a special centenary next month. Sarah Clark reports.