TENDRING joined the rest of the country as it marked the centenary of the Battle of the Somme this morning.

Special services took place across the country to commemorate the beginning of one of the bloodiest battles in human history.

The battle took place on both banks of the River Somme in France and lasted almost five months from July 1 to November 18, 1916.

The British Army suffered massive losses in the first day of the offensive, with more than 19,000 troops killed in action.

A million men were killed or injured during the battle.

In Clacton a service was help at 11am today at the seafront war memorial.

A number of standard bearers attended with Parade Marshall Jamie Robinson.