A SILHOUETTE of a soldier has been placed among three oak trees in the grounds Bolton Parish Church in a moving tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for their country.

As the town prepares to remember fallen war heroes, the first of five poignant sculptures depicting a soldier has been installed to serve as a powerful reminder of the cost of freedom.

This year marks 100 years since the end of the First World World. To commemorate the anniversary, Bolton Council has funded five soldier silhouettes as part of the Remembered Charity's There But Not There campaign to remind people of the significance of the anniversary.

The council has teamed up with Army North West HQ to ask residents where they would like to see the six-foot sculptures installs. It is likely the others will be placed in each of the townships which make up the borough of Bolton.

The first was placed in Bolton Parish Church by church warden and councillor John Walsh on Saturday.

He placed it among three oak trees which were planted in the church grounds in 2014, the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War.

Cllr Walsh said: "I thought it was appropriate to site it near the oak trees which we planted in 2014. It can be seen by everyone walking in Churchgate past the church and is a poignant reminder.

"One of the oak trees is planted in a some soil from Flanders Field which Cllr Martin Donaghy brought back when he went there."

He added: "We are very pleased that the council offered us the sculpture to place in the Parish Church for the town centre."

Cllr Walsh said: "This year is an opportunity for people to reflect and refocus on the sacrifice made and this year, by coincidence, November 11 falls on the Sunday when Remembrance Services take place."

And on November 11 a church candle will be lit at Bolton Parish Church in a poignant symbolic gesture to mark the anniversary.

It was extinguished just before midnight on August 4, 2014, 100 years since the Great War was declared and will be lit again at Bolton Parish Church on the morning of November 11 before being taken to the service in Victoria Square.

The sculptures are built by former service personnel and will be sold to raise money to support veterans.