How long will the poppies be at the the Tower of London? These beautiful pictures show the first Remembrance Day flowers being removed

 

The first ceramic poppy was “planted” at the Tower of London on August 5 and the last one entered the ground yesterday to commemorate Remembrace Day; today they started being harvested. 

 

The amazing installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins, has captured the imagination of more than four million people who visited the Tower of London to see the 888,246 poppies turn the moat blood red. 

 

Although part of the installation has been extended – the Weeping Willow and Wave segments will now remain until the end of November – today volunteers started removing the poppies from the east London location. 

 

These beautiful images show volunteers carefully removing the first load of poppies, loading them up, and taking off the stalks so they can be packed and sent to their future homes. 

 

 

The poppies – each of which represents a British fatality during the First World War – are being sold, with the money being split between six charities: Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion; Combat Stress; SSAFA; Coming Home and Cobseo. 

 

The poppies cost £25 each.