EAST Lothian residents are being urged to do their bit to mark 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War by turning off their lights.

The Lights Out campaign is inviting people across the county to switch off their lights between 10pm and 11pm on Monday and to light a single candle in a shared moment of national reflection.

The moment will mark precisely a century since Britain declared war on Germany and formally entered the First World War at 11pm on August 4, 1914.

Iain Gray MSP is among those backing the Lights Out campaign.

He said: “The First World War was a conflict that changed Britain forever.

“It touched every family, affected every community and fundamentally altered our country’s place in the world.

“The centenary anniversary is a unique opportunity for us to commemorate those who served and sacrificed for us on the frontline and the home front, and to think about the profound impact the war had on our society.” The campaign is inspired by the words of then Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who famously remarked on the outbreak of the war: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.” One of those places taking part in the national campaign is St Mary’s Church, Haddington.

Lord Lieutenant Michael Williams encouraged people to go along on Monday night.

He said: “There will be a vigil if people want to come and there will be a few words said before half an hour of private thought, a prayer and then go home.”