Ceramic poppy from the installation, 'Blood Swept Land and Seas of Red', marking the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, at the Tower of London, 2014

Created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 888,246 ceramic poppies progressively filled the Tower of London's moat between 17 July and 11 November 2014. The installation proved a very popular attraction with the public. The title of the work was inspired by a line from a poem by an unknown soldier of the First World War. Each poppy represented a British or colonial military fatality during the War. As part of the project, the poppies were sold in support of six service charities: Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces Help, the Confederation of Services Charities (COBSEO), Combat Stress, The Royal British Legion, Coming Home and Help for Heroes.