A DISPLAY has paid tribute to a Furness pigeon who played a unique role in Britain's war effort.

Thousands of crocheted poppies have been made as part of a tribute to Tommy the pigeon who was awarded the Dickin medal - the animal version of the Victoria Cross for his efforts in World War Two.

Nine months of work went into making the poppies, which have been assembled into a stunning display in time for Remembrance Sunday.

It pays tribute to the animals who died in wars. 

The story began when William Brockbank, who lived at Queen Street in Dalton, entered Tommy in a race from Christchurch on the south coast.

A freak storm blew the pigeon off course and he landed, exhausted, in the occupied Netherlands.

The Netherlands had been cleansed of its racing pigeon stock by the Gestapo, fearful of the birds' renowned capabilities as messengers.

Tommy was found by a resistance sympathiser, who handed him over to Dick Drijver, a member of the Dutch Resistance. He knew from the bird's leg ring that he was English.

He nursed the pigeon, which he named Tommy, back to fitness before letting him fly with a tiny aluminium canister attached to his leg containing information about a munitions build-up at a factory near Amsterdam.

A German lookout saw Tommy in flight and opened fire. Tommy was hit in the wing but still managed to reach Dalton on August 19, 1942.

Mr Brockbank handed the message to the police and was later informed by the Air Ministry that Tommy had been awarded the Dickin Medal. The factory was destroyed by the allies.

The bird was 'decorated' in 1946 at a ceremony in London attended by Mr and Mrs Brockbank, his daughter Joyce and Dick Drijver.

Mr Drijver was presented with two pedigree pigeons, part of a consignment of 2,000 birds given to the Dutch people after the war, to help them re-establish their racing pigeon stock.

Mr Brockbank organised an exhibition about Tommy and the proceeds were used to buy a field in Chapel Street, Dalton, which was converted into a children's playground.

The field later became the site of Dalton Leisure Centre.