MEMBERS of the British Legion gathered in Kidderminster today (July 1) to pay tribute soldiers who lost their lives in the battle of the Somme.

A service at the War Memorial saw people fall silent shortly before 7.30am this morning, which saw the start of the historic conflict 100 years ago.

Sixty men from Kidderminster were killed in the battle with a total of 470 from the town killed in the 1914-1918 war.

A whistle was blow and letters and poems from Kidderminster men were read in an act of remembrance.