The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have joined around 1,000 people in Dundee to remember those who fought in one of the biggest battles of the First World War.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick and veterans and serving soldiers also attended the service marking the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Loos.

An estimated 21,000 British soldiers died in what was described as The Big Push, 7,000 of them Scottish.

Around 8,000 lives were lost within the first four hours of fighting on September 25 1915, the first day of battle.

Charles's great uncle, Captain Fergus Bowes-Lyon, died on the third day.

Dundee was one of the worst-affected areas, with a large number of the casualties coming from the 4th Black Watch based in the city.

The centenary commemoration began with a parade of about 250 current service personnel and 300 veterans.

The City Square was then transformed into a ''cathedral'', with four ministers from Dundee representing the Scottish Episcopal, Roman Catholic Church of Scotland, Church of Scotland and the Chaplain General to the Armed Forces.

Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland, laid a wreath against a specially-commissioned memorial stone along with the First Minister and Lord Provost of Dundee Bob Duncan.

Dressed in Army general staff number 2 service dress (field marshal rank), Charles was joined by his wife Camilla, wearing a pink suit by Mr Roy trimmed with Rothesay tartan, for the service and a reception afterwards for forces personnel and veterans.

Events to mark the centenary of the battle started on Friday with the lighting of a beacon at dawn at the top of Dundee war memorial.

Ms Sturgeon said: "With around 30,000 Scots serving at Loos, its effect was felt throughout every village and town in Scotland.

"The weekend of national commemorations will be a fitting tribute to those that fought, those that died and those that were left at home."

Mr Duncan said: "The battle affected every Scottish regiment and was also Dundee's darkest hour.

"The terrible losses, particularly among local Black Watch battalions, had a profound effect on the city.

"This weekend presents an opportunity to remember their heroic sacrifice and to honour their memory."