Battle of the Somme: Eddie Redmayne working on special project at Lichfield Cathedral

Eddie Redmayne OBE is best known for his roles in films such as Les Miserables, The Danish Girl, and The Theory of Everything, for which he won the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG Award for Best Actor.

The cathedral's Artist in Residence, Peter Walker, has been working closely with the star to bring Lichfield a unique exhibition which will take place between August 4 and 6 to commemorate the Battle of the Somme.

Using the words of war poets, visual arts, light and sound, the display will transform the inside of the cathedral into a thought-provoking landscape that symbolises the journey taken by soldiers to the front.

Redmayne visited the Cathedral earlier this week to record a selection of well-known war poetry, which will form part of the exhibition.

Visitors will be able to visit the cathedral during the commemoration to see the piece performed by the actor.

Peter Walker said: "Eddie has created a series of four remarkably moving recitations of war poems for the installation this summer.

"He was very generous in donating his time, and his support of the Artist in Residence program has been wonderful. We hope everyone will come along and enjoy these recordings in August."

Part of the exhibition will also involve light projections by Peter Walker and music composed by David Harper, who together collaborate under the name Luxmuralis.

Jason Dyer, development director at Lichfield Cathedral, added: "Within the cathedral there are Books of Remembrance that record all those who sacrificed their lives from our region in the Great War.

"We hope this very special commemoration event for the Battle of the Somme will provide a poignant, respectful and moving way in which all visitors can remember those who lost their lives during this tragic time."

More information about the cathedral's commemoration will be available soon.