THOUSANDS of wooden crosses have been planted in a park to establish the North's first Field of Remembrance.

Around 10,000 crosses, adorned with poppies and personal messages, paying tribute to fallen British servicemen and women have been placed in Saltwell Park, Gateshead.

Loved ones of Cpl Steven Dunn and Rifleman Mark Turner, both killed in Afghanistan in 2010, have worked with the Royal British Legion to help organise the memorial.

Leah Harris, from the Royal British Legion, said: ''The two families that sadly lost their sons in Afghanistan have been really instrumental in helping us to create this first Field up here.

''There's also been huge support from the community in the North-East. It's important to give people the opportunity to come here and pay their respects and write tributes and remember people that they have lost.''

Cpl Dunn and Rifleman Turner, who both hailed from Gateshead, were  killed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

Rifleman Turner's mother, Anne, said: ''I feel very honoured to be dedicating a cross in Mark's memory and also to be remembering the sacrifices made by all those men and women whose lives were cut short in the line of duty.

''It will be a very emotional day but a very proud one for us. We will never forget the sacrifice Mark and so many brave heroes like him have made.''

Sharon Potts, who will plant a cross in memory of close friend Cpl Dunn, said: "The Field of Remembrance is a massive achievement. We need as many people as possible to come and show their respects."

Andrew Drake, area manager for the Royal British Legion in the North, said: ''I hope people will visit the Field and remember with pride those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.''

One of those planting the crosses was David Bell, a 63-year-old Tyneside veteran of the Falklands War.

The former Scots Guard said: "I was glad to come down here and help out to set it up.

"In fact, I will be laying nine crosses myself for the comrades that I lost in the Falkland Islands."

The other Fields of Remembrance will be planted at Royal Wootton Bassett, Westminster, Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

The North Field of Remembrance will be officially opened tomorrow (Saturday, October 26) with a Service of Dedication, which begins at 10.30am.

It will be led by military chaplain, The Reverend Charles Hope of 102 Battalion, The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Volunteers.

A two-minute silence will be observed at 11am, after which military chiefs from across the region will dedicate a Remembrance Cross in the Field.

The Field will remain open daily from dawn until dusk until Monday, November 12.