PART of the iconic display of ceramic poppies previously hosted at the Tower of London as part of the commemorations of the centenary of the First World War will visit Wales next year.

The stunning Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red installation of 888,246 sculpted poppies, one for every death in the British and Colonial forces during the conflict, was in place at the Tower of London between August and November 2014.

And now the Senedd in Cardiff Bay is to host one of two new sculptures made up of more than 10,000 poppies from the original display next summer.

The Weeping Window display will be on show from August 5 until September 25 2017 as part of the 14-18 NOW programme.

The Assembly’s presiding officer Elin Jones welcomed the news.

“It is a great honour for the Senedd and the National Assembly to host this iconic installation,” she said.

“The Senedd is the focal point of Welsh civic and political life and it is fitting that we mark the sacrifice made by so many Welshmen during World War One by hosting this poignant piece of work.

“The installation has played a central role across the UK in commemorating this brutal conflict.

“We must never forget the terrible toll that it took on so many people across Wales and the world.”

Although many of the ceramic poppies were offered for sale after the Tower of London sculpture was dismantled, more than 10,000 were saved by the Backstage Trust and the Clore Duffield Foundation and given to 14-18 NOW and Imperial War Museums.

Financial support for the presentations has been received from The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Heritage Lottery Fund have funded the displays, with more fundraising currently ongoing.