Hundreds of rocks painted with poppies were placed around a war memorial ahead of Remembrance Day.

The rocks phenomenon has swept parts of the country in recent weeks, but the Rainham Rocks group, set up by mother-of-three Jacqui Berry, has tweaked its take on it and started leaving rocks painted with poppies at the town’s war memorial.

She set up the group on Facebook about five weeks ago and said about 100 people are now requesting to join each day.

The idea is for people to decorate rocks and hide them for others to find in a random act of kindness.

When people find a rock they can keep or re-hide it. They can also upload a picture on the Facebook page for people to see their found rock.

It began when Mrs Berry and her three children, Ava, eight, Isla and Tegon, both six, sat around the table and painted about 20 rocks.

She and the Miers Court Primary School youngsters then began leaving them around the town and the group has snowballed from there.

Mrs Berry, 39, said: “The group is all about free family fun and it encourages children to do crafts with their families, get lots of fresh air, embrace the spirit of giving.

"It is creating an amazing sense of community spirit.

“Many members of the group have been painting poppy rocks and leaving them as a mark of respect at the Rainham war memorial.

"To date there about 350 rocks placed there and many more are being painted.

“It has got people talking to each other. I know one lady who is not on social media and of the older generation, who now goes there every day at 11am just to see the rocks.

“It is lovely people who don’t know each other are talking about the rock they find and the poppy rocks at the memorial.”

Belinda Clarkson, who is also from Rainham, has been taking part.

She said: “We have a local artist in the group who has painted a lovely poppy rock that has become a raffle prize in support of the Poppy Appeal.”

The draw is due to take place today and the group has already raised £110.

Mrs Berry added: “This is the second fundraising rock that has been created, with plans for more to support our local charities.

“The members of the group are such wonderful people, full of the spirit of giving.”