Irvine will light up red to mark 100 years of the Poppy as the national symbol of Remembrance.

The gesture will take place from Sunday, October 22 until Sunday, November 14, with landmarks, tourist destinations and business properties across the area being encouraged to join in.

Poppyscotland are asking any building with external lighting to take part simply by adding red gel filters to the flood or up-lights to help commemorate the centenary of the Poppy.

Previously landmarks taking part in Ayrshire have including the South Ayrshire county buildings, Brodick Castle and the Maritime Museum in Irvine.

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is the largest annual charity street collection in Scotland and raises more than £2million each year.

The money raised from the Poppy Appeal and year-round fundraising enables Poppyscotland to support members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing services in advice, employment, housing, mental health and mobility.

Speaking about the appeal for Ayrshire to ‘Light Up Red’, Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said: “The last 18 months have been a very difficult time for us as a charity, and even more so for the Armed Forces community we support.

“The pandemic halted all our major fundraising events and we had to drastically change the way in which we reached out to the public for donations. Despite this we have still provided our vital, life-changing support uninterrupted throughout the pandemic.

“The support of local businesses and national landmarks across Ayrshire has been fantastic over many years, and we’re eager to hear from other locations that would like to join us in paying tribute to Scotland’s Armed Forces community.

“To see Ayrshire light up red during the Remembrance period will be even more poignant as, 100 years on, the Poppy Appeal remains as important now as it ever has been.”