Memorial events to mark the 100th anniversary of Britain’s involvement in the First World War were held across the county this weekend.

Dozens of towns, cities and communities gathered to remember the conflict, which Britain officially entered a century ago today.

They included a Drumhead and Interfaith memorial service held yesterday on the east lawns of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, co-ordinated by the council with the Royal British Legion and led by Dr Martin Warner, the bishop of Chichester. The afternoon service saw cadets build an alter from drums while children scattered poppy leaves.

Councillor Jason Kitcat, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “We will be remembering this historic anniversary in the city together with communities around the world.

“The war affected so many lives in so many different ways and the council is supporting organisations with events and activities that reflect the courage, sacrifice and experiences of local people.”

In Rottingdean residents buried a time capsule at the war memorial after parading from the White Horse Hotel in High Street during the morning.

A military band headed the parade before the capsule, carried on a First World War horse-drawn gun carriage, was buried in the ground using soil collected from 17 individual First World War battle sites.

In Worthing scores of people attended a special morning Drumhead service at the town hall while Vic Walker, mayor of the town, unveiled a stained-glass window at the pier in the afternoon. The stunning specially-commissioned piece commemorates Worthing’s war dead.

Today in Brighton, Grosvenor Funeral Directors will hold a special service at Bear Road Cemetery at 4pm while at Regency Square war memorial a wreath laying service will take place at 10.45am.

In Shoreham, motorcyclists from the Royal British Legion Riders’ Branch will descend on the town’s fort at 8.30pm to create a ‘biker’s beacon’ by shining their headlights towards the site of the old First World War barracks.

Elsewhere today, a joint venture between the council and Brighton and Hove Bus Company will see the introduction of a Heritage Bus decorated with images of Brighton, Hove and Portslade during the war.

The vehicle will run on normal bus routes around the city for the next four years and will include a photograph of a wedding between a nurse and an officer who was awarded the Victoria Cross, plus a picture of Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Whiting, who fought and died in the war.