THE STREETS of Corsham were turned back in time as injured British soldiers limped towards the a makeshift hospital set up in the town hall to commemorate the town's Red Cross hospital during the First World War.

The exhibition, which is open until Sunday and includes artist Emma Leith's poppy crocheted poppy display, focuses on the hundreds of local people that helped support 875 soldiers during the hospital's operation from October 26, 1914 to August, 30, 1919.

Sharon Thomas, head of community services at Corsham Town Council, said: "The reaction we have had so far has been incredible and people have said how important it is to remember and how important it is in Corsham's history.

"Corsham is still known as somewhere where people get involved and volunteer for things and if you step back one hundred years, that is exactly what happened. The Red Cross records are amazing. It is just incredible how much time people invested in the hospital just because they wanted to help."

The exhibition, explores the life and work of the volunteers who gave up their time including one man who loaned his car and driving services to the hospital, racking up more than 5,000 hours during the war.

While the exhibition is free, visitors have been making donations to the Red Cross, Royal British Legion and the SSAF, and Mrs Thomas believes they will raise £1,000 by the end of the week.

She added: "It has grown way beyond anything we ever imagined - it is incredible."