Wirral will mark the centenary of Britain’s entry into World War One with a series of exhibitions, workshops, archive displays and books of remembrance.

Mayor Cllr Steve Foulkes has ordered WW1 Commemoration to form part of this year’s Remembrance Sunday service.

Along with the rest of the UK homes across Wirral and Merseyside will turn out their lights at 10pm today – the hour that Britain went to war with Germany on August 4 1914.

The “Lights Out” project was launched by the Government and the Royal British Legion with the aim of creating a shared moment of reflection across the country.

Floodlights at both Birkenhead and Wallasey town halls will be turned off for an hour from 10pm tonight, with a single light left only at both buildings until 11pm. 

Wirral Council’s archives services is staging a week-long exhibition featuring newspaper cuttings and official records, including those from shipbuilders Cammell Laird relating to World War 1.

It will be open weekdays from 9-30am to 4-30pm at Cheshire Lines buildings, Canning Street, Birkenhead.

A workshop on the outbreak of World War One will take place at 2pm in the Lower Ground Floor Conference Room on Thursday, August 7. The workshop is free, but you will need to book on 0151 606 2929.

Wallasey Central Library  staff have created a large display and there is also a  Remembrance Book on display. Both Upton and Heswall libraries have book displays.

Over the next four years Birkenhead Reference Library will have unique archives on display. Themes will includes The Bantams, Wilfred Owen and other local poets and local regiments. The reference library’s website has an index to Birkenhead’s war memorial that details the dates and newspapers that features the fallen.

At Bromborough Hall on October 8 poet and broadcaster Ian McMillan and documentary photographers Ian Beesley will tell the story of the First World War from the point of view of men who survived and lived on to old age and a changing world.

The talk will also feature the tales of women who worked in the  factories that oiled the wheels of war.

Today and tomorrow Eastham Archive present a 13 minutes film on Hooton Airfield as a tribute to the local boys who served their country in WW!.

An exhibition at the local library will feature a half sized replica of Eastham’s original wooden war memorial and a photographic tribute to local man Douglas Vernon, killed on the Somme and other from the village who gave their lives in battle.

Many of Wirral’s municipal flower beds have been planted with poppies by way of commemorating the WW1 Centenary this year.

And in Port Sunlight, an army of volunteers is being recruited to recreate the time hundreds of factory staff marched from their homes to enlist for service.

Mayor of Wirral Cllr Steve Foulkes said: “The ‘lights out’ tribute is a poignant and simple reminder of how World War One impacted on life for everyone. It shows that we remember those whose lives were affected, whether on the Front or at home.

“Wirral will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and events such as this play a very important part in ensuring that we keep their memories alive.”