More than 5,000 poppies have been scattered under the dome of St Paul's Cathedral in an art installation for Remembrance Day.

At ground level the poppies have the appearance of being placed at random, but when viewed from above in the Whispering Gallery, the poppies form the image of three child soldiers.

One of the soldiers seen in the 30ft-wide display is from the First World War. The other two are from more recent conflicts.

The installation has been created by artist Ted Harrison to highlight the involvement of children in war.

Although enlisting children as soldiers is officially illegal under the UN, it is estimated that there are still as many as 250,000 active child combatants around the world. Many of them are forced or coerced into volunteering and risk being killed, wounded or traumatised.

Artist Ted Harrison said: "The poppy is now a universal symbol of remembrance. At the time of year when we rightly recall British soldiers, sailors and airmen who have given their lives for their country, this work is a reminder of the many children who have also, throughout history, died as members of the armed forces.

"Today a UN convention forbids the conscription of anyone under 18 years of age, but the convention is widely ignored. It is estimated there are 250,000 children worldwide in military service, a third of whom are girls.

"When the work is viewed from above I hope something of the innocence of these children is conveyed along with a sense of innocence betrayed."

The installation is part of the St Paul’s Cathedral Arts Project, an ongoing programme which seeks to explore the encounter between art and faith.

The Rev Canon Mark Oakley, Treasurer of St Paul's, said: “In Ted Harrison’s moving tribute the past and present are brought together in a poignant way through Remembrance poppies, scattered to shock us and warn us that history repeats itself. The human faces can only be fully seen from a sacred height.

"Placed in the cathedral this tribute reminds us of the tragedy of violent conflict. It is a wake-up call to us all to protest against the wickedness of arming children to fight, and die, in our wars.

"It is also a timely reminder that human beings should remember better - not to be comforted but to be challenged.”

Visitors to St Paul’s Cathedral will be able to view the artwork throughout Friday.