The district is preparing to commemorate 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War on Monday.

Across Bradford, churches will be open for prayer, reflection and commemorative services.

One of the main events will be at Bradford Cathedral, which will open its doors for prayer and reflection from 7.30pm until 11pm on Monday.

A service of reading and prayers will then take place at 10pm, inspired by the service being held at Westminister Abbey and based on Edward Grey’s famous remark ‘the lamps are going out all over Europe’.

The Dean of Bradford, the Very Rev Jerry Lepine, who will conduct the service, said “The Poet Laureate Andrew Motion once referred to World War One as our ‘national psychic wound.’ The trauma of these years left its mark on families and communities around the world for generations.

"It is deeply appropriate for us to spend some time in reflection and prayer and the evening of August 4 is the designated time for this national commemoration. We shall, of course, pray for peace in the world today as well.”

Other local churches have organised their own events. On Sunday, there will be a special World War One Commemoration Service at Holy Trinity Church, Parkhouse Road, Low Moor, remembering the 139 young men from Low Moor who lost their lives in the conflict.

Those who died in action, those reported missing or never traced and seven men who died in the Low Moor munitions factory explosion of August 1916, will all be honoured.

Candles will be lit as the names are read out, there will be prayers, music and the sounding of the last post.

The Rev Dorothy Ellis said: “In the busyness of our lives, we must take this opportunity to stop, to remember those who, 100 years ago, left their families, their villages and their futures to fight for their country against those who threatened peace in the world.”

People have been invited to attend a ceremony in Keighley Town Hall square at the cenotaph where the town's mayor, Councillor Graham Mitchell, will address the gathering. People wanting to attend are advised to come to the cenotaph at 10.45am on Monday.

Councillor Howard Middleton and Councillor Geoff Reid have organised a simple act of commemoration at Eccleshill War memorial, Stone Hall Road at 10pm on Monday, lasting 20 to 30 minutes.

Other events on Monday include St John’s Church in Great Horton, opening from 10am to 3pm for a commemoration day. Holy Trinity Bingley and St Wilfrid Gilstead will be open from 9am to 7pm and lights will be dimmed at Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton in a sombre service from 10.30pm.

At the sound of the chimes of Big Ben at 11pm, Whitechapel’s new lights will be successively turned off at each stroke, marking 100 years since the outbreak of the Great War.

Spenborough British Legion is supporting the occasion and Branch chairman Eddie Morton said: “Such a service will enable everyone locally to be part of what is to be a national event.”

St Michael's Church, Cottingley, will be open from 10am until 6pm for people to drop in to remember and light a candle, concluding at 5.30pm with prayers. Also at St Michael's at 7pm there will be an illustrated talk remembering the Cottingley Heroes. At the Town Hall Church on the same day people are invited to see the Roll of Honour showing the Cottingley men who served during the Great War.