People in Essex are expected to join hundreds of thousands across Europe in switching off their lights to mark the moment Britain declared war on Germany 100 years ago.
The Royal British Legion's Light Out campaign is an act of remembrance for the hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women who lost their lives during the subsequent Great War.
It is hoped that one million candles will be lit to represent the 900,000 lives lost by those defending our country from 10am to 11am.
Ceremonies will also take place throughout Europe today, as world leaders gather many ceremonies marking 100 years since Britain entered The Great War.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be at an event in Liege, Belgium, and the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister attend a service in Glasgow.
Westminster Abbey will be holding a televised service of commemoration from 10pm this evening and The Royal British Legion's aim is to mirror this around the country.
See below for a list of Essex events
- The Chelmsford Royal British Legion, in New London Road, is inviting members of the public to join it for free cheese and wine this evening, and the Wickford division is hosting a BBQ at 7.30pm at 73 Runwell Road, prior to their own memorial service.
- The Clacton-On-Sea branch, Manningtree, which is holding a Drumhead service and a candlelit vigil.
- The Hadleigh & Thundersley branch, in Grays, which is holding an event at the Hadleigh War Memorial.
- The Loughton branch, which is hosting the 'Lights Out' event at 9.45‐11.00pm.
- The Nayland branch, in Colchester, which is holding a short service around the War Memorial at 7pm followed by a programme of music/readings/stories of local men in Church of St. James.
- The Debden village hall in Saffron Walden, which is holding a service at 9.45pm
Members of the public are welcomed to host their own events at local sports clubs, pubs and social clubs, although organisers are requested to inform the police of any large gatherings.
Alternatively, the official twitter hashtag #LightsOut is encouraged by The Royal British Legion as means of notifying a far wider audience of tonight's ceremony
