Schoolchildren laid 100 poppies at a memorial tree as young and old gathered to mark Armed Forces Day in Hounslow yesterday.

Pupils from Beavers Community Primary School, in Hounslow West; Brentford School for Girls; and Edward Pauling Primary School, in Feltham, made the floral tribute in the grounds of Hounslow Civic Centre, in Lampton Road, Hounslow.

The 100 poppies were laid at the foot of the Armed Forces Memorial Tree to signify the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, which Britain entered on August 4, 1914.

Students from Brentford School for Girls had travelled to the ceremony in an old Routemaster bus, provided by the RedRoutemaster bus company.

The children were joined by soldiers from the Welsh Guards, stationed at Hounslow Cavalry Barracks; Chelsea Pensioners; and Royal British Legion veterans, including Gurkhas; as well as members of the public, at the special ceremony.

Hounslow mayor Corinna Smart said: "In this centenary year commemorating the start of World War One, this year's Armed Forces Day is especially poignant. Hounslow is proud to honour our armed forces and we will always remember the ultimate sacrifice of well over a million British and Commonwealth servicemen and women, who died in wars and conflicts since World War One."

Hounslow's Deputy Lieutenant Richard Kornicki CBE said: "On this day, we stop and pay tribute to the Armed Forces. Not just to the Welsh Guards here in Hounslow, but to everyone in the Armed Forces, whether in the front line or in support; whatever their Service, whatever their unit, whatever their role."

Armed Forces Day, on which people across the country honour servicemen and women past and present, takes place this Saturday, June 28, but was being marked early at the Civic Centre.

Yesterday's ceremony signifies the start of events across the borough being held to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, including the unveiling of a new war memorial in Hounslow High Street on Saturday, August 2.

Among the Armed Forces celebrations around west London was a flag raising event in Harrow - see picture.