In pictures: How the Midlands marked the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

Whistles were blown at solemn services across the region to commemorate the start of the battle regarded as the biggest ever military disaster.

Events began early to mark the exact time a century ago when whistles were blown along the British front line at 7.28am to send troops over the top and into battle. Five months later more than a million had either been killed or injured.

And to mark one of the bloodiest battles in history, services were being held at cenotaphs and churches across the region as people came out to pay their respects to the thousands of men, many who were just teenagers or in their early 20s, who gave up their lives for their country.

There were three whistle blasts just before 7.30am at Cannock Cenotaph during a service organised by the Royal British Legion and attended by army cadets in First World War naval uniform.

Whistles were also blown at Powke Lane Cemetery in Blackheath as members of the public joined representatives from the local Royal British Legion branch.

Here's how the region marked the occassion:

Wreaths were laid as the victims of the Somme were remembered at Victoria Park in Tipton.

People also gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Wordsley for a remembrance service. A large commemorative service was taking place during the day at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which included a live link to the televised showing of the international Service of Remembrance at the Thiepval Monument in northern France. Hundreds of whistles were also blown by local schoolchildren.

In Cannock, a two minutes' silence followed the whistle blasts while there was also a reading from a letter which was wrote by a soldier on the Somme.

Berni Wilkins, from the Royal British Legion's Cannock branch, said: "It was the worst casualties we have suffered and these were people who were ordinary guys who left their families behind because they were proud of their country and wanted to serve their king and wanted to do what they needed to do to keep us free. They paid the ultimate sacrifice and if they hadn't, who knows how we would be now."

A special service took place at the Cenotaph in St Peter's Square in Wolverhampton city centre. Heads were also bowed in remembrance around the Oldbury Cenotaph in Civic Square where the Last Post sounded out followed by readings and a two minutes' silence. A similar commemoration event was being held at St James' Cenotaph in Brownhills from 11am. People are being invited to Aldridge War Memorial tonight for a special ceremony while a candlelit vigil will take place at the Staffordshire Regimental Museum in Lichfield from 7pm.

At the Metro Cafe, in Church Street, Bilston, historian Tom Larkin was reflecting on the local losses suffered at an event called Black Country Tribute to the Heroes of the Somme. The event was taking place from 2pm. One of the largest memorial events in the West Midlands being held today was taking place at Birmingham Cathedral. Senior members of the armed forces were among those in attendance, including Major General Richard Stanford, General Officer Commanding Regional Command, and Brigadier Robin Anderton-Brown, Commander of the 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade.

The services come after a series of events at the weekend to mark Armed Forces Day. The Battle of the Somme was commemorated at Himley Hall, including a Spitfire flypast.