An ex-Royal Marine has created a unique Union Jack flag using ceramic poppies and bullet shells.

Cpl Ric Coulson spent six months creating the work of art.

He used 300 individual 7,62mm shells to create the piece.

Cp Coulson painstakingly used a hacksaw to hand cut the bottom of every empty cylinder from the fired live rounds.

He then used the percussion caps as the centres of the poppies

The 44-year-old placed them in the middle of each poppy before spraying either red, white or blue.

Each red poppy also contained earth collected from battle grounds around the world.

They also have bullet shells placed in the middle.

The white poppies represent the innocent victims of conflicts.

The blue have a tint of purple to remember all animals.

The flowers were then rearranged to create the flag of the United Kingdom.

Cpl Coulson, of Halifax, West Yorkshire said: “It’s so important we always remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“And this has been made to pay respect to all those from WW1 right through to the present, including D-Day, the Holocaust and Ukraine.

“This means a lot to me as it does to so many people.

“And I hope it also helps educate everyone about the horrors of conflicts.”

Cpl Coulson served multiple tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Fellow Brits have praised his efforts.

Susan Jordan said: “This is superb and meaningful thank you and well done for this super dedicated artwork.”

Valery Hollier said: “That is amazing.”

Remembrance Day will take place next Saturday (11/11).

ENDS