The first of a limited number of ‘Silent Soldiers’ have been snapped up by businesses in the area.

Life-sized silhouettes of ‘Tommy’, an emblem for soldiers returning home from the First World War, are being offered to businesses and councils throughout North Wales to mark the 100-year anniversary of Armistice Day.

Bodelwyddan Castle was the very first business in North Wales to contribute to the ‘Silent Soldier’ campaign – led by the Royal British Legion (RBL) – quickly followed by the Cob & Pen pub in Rhyl.

Lorraine Lister, marketing and media manager at Bodelwyddan Castle, said: “I saw the campaign on social media explaining plans for ‘Silent Soldiers in Wales’ and got in touch straight away.

“We’re very proud to be the first business to get involved.”

The ‘Silent Soldier’ has been earmarked to stand at the entrance to Bodelwyddan Castle’s World War One exhibition, which follows the lives of Kinmel Bay combatant Vernon Carter Williams and his sister, Aldwyth Williams.

“We believe in supporting our community. We think children need to know their history and that involves commemoration,” Lorraine added. “I believe the ‘Silent Soldier’ will grip the heart of everyone who sees it.”

The campaign was the idea of an RBL branch in Surrey branch, with 1,000 silhouettes made available across the UK.

Each silhouette costs £250, with £150 being donated to the charity.

The idea to introduce the scheme to North Wales was a joint decision between RBL community fundraiser for North Wales Andrew Green and Rhyl Poppy Appeal organiser Richard Kendrick.

Currently two more businesses in Rhyl – the Beachside Cafe and Roger W Jones – have pledged £250, while the staff of Morrisons have raised funds amongst themselves, organised by store community champion Tracy Wooton.

The organisers are also meeting with town councils to discuss their involvement in the coming weeks.

Mr Kendrick, said: “What we want to see is a ‘Silent Soldier Tommy’ on every roundabout entering every town throughout Conwy and Denbighshire.

“The closest ‘Silent Soldier’ right now is in Nantwich. I feel that commemorating the fallen should be the first thing people see when they enter towns in North Wales too.”