A QUARRY Bank churchwarden is organising a poignant community tour taking in former battlefield sites in France and Belgium as part of efforts to mark 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I.

Brian Genner, churchwarden at Christ Church in Quarry Bank High Street, hopes to run the inter-generational coach trip next May.

Mr Genner, who has organised many coach tours with Quarry Bank’s PALS club, plans to take young and old alike to see key battlefield sites from the First World War and to the beaches of Normandy as it will also be the 70th anniversary of the 1944 D-Day landings.

The week-long tour will take in Ypres, Passchendaele, Tyne Cot Cemetery, Hill 60 and the Menin Gate where it hoped there will be a wreath-laying ceremony.

There will also be chance to visit Dunkirk and some of the landing beaches such as Gold and Juno. Other sites on the intinerary include the Bayeux Tapestry and the ancient city of Rouen.

Mr Genner said: “It is hoped the tour will capture the imagination of those from different generations as a way of honouring those from the local community who died in war.”

In the meantime ahead of the tour and the official July 2014 100th anniversary, Mr Genner and Quarry Bank history fans hope to seek out stories of people from the area who played a part in the war.

Christ Church’s Roll of Honour bears a list of more than 100 names of men killed in action during WWI and WWII.

Anyone with stories to tell about Quarry Bank’s First World War frontline heroes are ured to get in touch.

To find out more about the trip contact Mr Genner on 01384 561463 or email briangenner@hotmail.co.uk or call Rev David Hoskin on 01384 565480 or email christchurchqb@live.co.uk