THE Bishop of Carlisle will be at Westminster Abbey tonight (Thursday) for a special service and overnight vigil marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme.

The Rt Rev James Newcome is attending as national chaplain to the Royal British Legion. He will also be at Manchester's Cenotaph and a service at Manchester Cathedral on Friday afternoon.

Bishop James said: "It is important that we come together to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of such terrible hostilities.

"In just one day’s battle so many lives were lost - on both sides - and we must never forget the sacrifice that tens of thousands of service personnel offered up so that we would be free to live the lives we do today.

"At this time, as we face a world in which wars continue to be waged and innocent lives are lost as a direct result, we must continue to pray that the reconciling love of God becomes known to all and all people come to know His peace."

The Battle of the Somme was to last 141 days during which more than one million men were killed or wounded. On the first day of battle 19,240 British soldiers lost their lives – the worst losses ever suffered in one day in the history of the British Army.

The Westminster vigil – which will also be televised on BBC2 – will begin with a 30 minute invitation-only service. The Abbey will then be open to the public during the night. Those who took part on all sides of the battle will be represented with others keeping vigil in 15-minute watches throughout the night. It will conclude with a short public service at 7am on Friday and a gun salute.

Elsewhere across Cumbria,people will be marking the centenary, including:

- a vigil at Windermere's war memorial from 9pm tonight (Thursday) held by the town's branch of the Royal British Legion, with prayers led by the Rev James Richards, rector of St Martin's Church

- a short service of commemoration at Holy Trinity Church, Langdale, ending with the blowing of the whistle at 7.30am and a time of silence

- a service at St Andrew’s Church, Penrith, at 10am tomorrow (Friday)

- prayers at Carlisle Cathedral at 12.30pm and 5.30pm tomorrow (Friday)

- a Royal British Legion service at St Anne’s Church, Haverthwaite, on Sunday (July 3).