BUGLES are set to sound across Leeds this summer in a poignant tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme.

The moving performances will be part of a programme of events to mark a hundred years since the start of the historic battle, which resulted in the worst losses of British Army personnel during the First World War.

On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, which began in France on the morning of July 1, 1916, it is said that every street in Leeds lost one man.

The battle included soldiers from Leeds serving with a number of units. In particular, the local volunteer battalion the Leeds Pals was hit especially hard. Of the 750 members of The Leeds Pals who fought that day, just 72 were uninjured by nightfall.

It is planned to post buglers at a number of locations around Leeds, to be decided later this year, to play a piece of music at 7.30am on July 1 – the exact time when the first soldiers scaled the trench walls.

As part of the commemoration, an evening concert will take place at Leeds Town Hall on June 30 featuring a performance of The Armed Man by The Leeds festival Chorus, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and the Manchester Camerata.

An exhibition curated by young people from around Leeds looking at the city during the First World War will also open at Leeds City Museum on June 30.

The Carriageworks Theatre will host a new play called Leeds Lads about three of the Leeds Pals and their descendants.

Leeds City Council leader, Councillor Judith Blake, said: "The Battle of the Somme was a tragic and pivotal event not just in the First World War, but in the course of human history.

"It is only fitting that as a city, we pay tribute to the many courageous soldiers who lost their lives fighting for their country a century ago.