Farmland at Penpergwm will be transformed into a World War I battleground next month as the setting for The Great Gwent Poppy Run - one of Gwent Royal British Legion’s main annual fundraising events.

The event, which is now in its sixth year and has attracted a record number of 225 runners, is named ‘Back to the Trenches’ and will mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

In commemoration of the bloody 141-day battle, which ended on Friday November 18 1916, the start of the race will recreate the start of the battle.

Runners have been divided into two Battalions, the Fusiliers and Borderers and will be issued with their battalion T-shirts. They will be briefed as if it was shortly before 7.30am on Saturday July 1 1916, when the guns fell silent and the troops were marched to the trenches in a muddy field in the upper reaches of the river Somme, France.

They will then be marched in groups of 40 to the challenging course, led by the bands of the No1 Welsh Wing Band ATC from Maindy Barracks, Cardiff and Torfaen Sea Cadets Drum Corps from T.S. Kittiwake, Cwmbran.

The runners will scale the muddy banks of the Usk, using ropes and ladders go over the top, through the smoke of no-man’s land and following the path through the nearby ruined buildings, through the woods before breaking cover in the challenging hills of the Usk countryside.

They will make their way over more obstacles, through streams and craters and through a ‘minefield’ before making the run for freedom, safety and home.

Legion’s Volunteer Poppy Appeal Organiser Mike Jones said, “This year’s Back to the Trenches has attracted a record entry. By setting the course around the trenches of the Battle of the Somme, the course will really sort the wheat from the chaff. It will be tough, but fun.”

The run, which starts at noon on Sunday November 6, will raise funds for this year’s Poppy Appeal in Gwent. All runners will get a free specially designed and unique technical T-shirt plus goodie bag.

Before the start 55 members of the Army Cadet Force, Air Training Corps and Volunteer Police Cadets with be completing the course for the honour of being the first team of three home and winning the ‘Back To The Trenches’ Trophy.