A NATIONAL service to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme will include a procession to Heaton Park.

The government has announced that a national commemorative service will be held at Manchester Cathedral on July 1 next year, alongside overnight vigils across the country.

Following the service, a people's procession will be held through Manchester and ending at Heaton Park.

The event will also feature live music performances, spoken word and dance, featuring the Hallé Orchestra.

It follows a national vigil which will be held at Westminster Abbey on June 30.

The battle, near the River Somme in northern France, featured 150,000 British men going 'over the top' from the trenches to assault German lines.

On the first day, the British Army suffered 60,000 casualties, and by the end of the battle about 420,000 British soldiers were dead or wounded.

Announcing the events, the culture secretary John Whittingdale said: “We must never forget the scale of what happened at the Somme. More died on the first day of battle than any other day of the First World War. Almost every family in the country was touched by the devastating losses.

"I hope people of all generations up and down the country will have the chance to attend an event and honour the bravery of those who sacrificed so much.”

Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, national president of The Royal British Legion, added: “As the national custodian of Remembrance, The Royal British Legion is honoured to play a key role in the events commemorating the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

"It is of huge importance that we continue to recognise the sacrifices made by the hundreds of thousands who fell during the 141 days of the Battle, and that we make our commemorations relevant and accessible to all generations."

People interested in projects in exploring the impact of the Battle of the Somme in the trenches or on the Home Front can apply for grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War: Then and Now £4 million fund.