Southend Pier is set to be lined with more than 70,000 hand-knitted poppies this November, after an “overwhelming” response to its Remembrance Day appeal.

As the pier continues to accept donations, local residents are being invited to join Sewing Sessions to prepare the flowers for installation next month.

“Thanks to the overwhelming response to Poppies on the Pier, we now have more poppies than we ever imagined,” said a spokesperson. “We’ll be able to line both sides of Southend Pier – that’s 2.66 miles of crocheted and knitted chains that need thousands of poppies attached.”

“By joining one of our Sewing Sessions, you’ll help transform these individual creations into one unified tribute. Whether you can spare an hour or an afternoon, your contribution will make a real difference. Together, we can create a moving display of remembrance and community spirit that will be seen by thousands of visitors this November.”

The flowers will line the world’s longest pier between 5 and 16 November, in what councillors hope will be a record-breaking commemoration display.

“It’s absolutely incredible how not just Southend but the entire country has got behind the effort to make our pier a 1.3-mile symbol of remembrance this November,” said councillor Matt Dent.