In pictures: The Somme remembered

The shadow of a guardsman at the Somme memorial service. At 7.30am local time, bells rang out over the cornfields between 60 villages across the former front line.

Children extended their hands and released hundreds of poppy petals into Lochnagar crater during the Battle of the Somme memorial service in northern France.

A family in period clothing carried flags at the Thiepval Monument ahead of the commemorations.

Clement Autissier, six, (left), and Louis Hecquet, also six, posed for the cameras in the Thiepval military cemetery.

A young girl showed her true colours, wearing a poppy dress for the memorial service in Lochnagar crater.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall joined the commemorations. In his address, the prince said the magnitude of the Allied losses had been unimaginable.

A ring of memorial crosses in the shape of a huge poppy provided an iconic image during the service.

A pair of helmets rested on crosses as the Somme Pipers played during the emotional ceremony.

Prince Charles spared a moment for WWI veteran Henry Allingham, who thanked the prince for his personal message on his recent 110th birthday.

Children released poppies into Lochnagar crater, creating a colourful scene during the memorial service.

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