The parents of Private Christopher Kershaw, who was killed in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, received the first poppies in a poignant scene at the start of the South and West Yorkshire County Poppy Appeal in Bradford city centre today.

The 19-year-old, who served in the Yorkshire Regiment, was killed along with five other soldiers when their Warrior armoured vehicle was blown up earlier this year.

Brian and Monica Kershaw were presented with poppies by the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe.

Beckfoot School Concert Band played and the choir at Clayton CE School sang to guests who took their seats in a marquee at City Park.

The Royal British Legion carried out a Parade of Standards around the park’s Mirror Pool as children, who attend St Matthew's and St James's schools in Allerton, floated poppies on the water as the trickling fountains were illuminated red.