London commemorates 100th anniversary of the First World War

Thousands of ceramic poppies surround the Tower of London for the anniversary of the First World War. Credit: Credit: PA

As the country commemorates the start of the First World War, a number of events are being held across London throughout the day.

The main focus will be a candlelit vigil at Westminster Abbey tonight. The service will feature music and readings such as diary entries and letters from 1914.

A flame will be extinguished on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at 11pm to mark the exact moment war was declared.

Some of London's most famous landmarks will also be left in the dark as part of a national campaign to mark the moment the war began.

The Houses of Parliament and London Bridge will have only a single light or candle left on between 10 and 11pm tonight, joining locations around the UK in darkness.