A charitable gesture to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War threatens to turn into a legal battle over copyright, according to a south Bucks councillor.

The project, which involves red ceramic poppies being placed at the war memorials In Princes Risborough and Monks Risborough, bears similarity to a work at the Tower of London last year according to town councillor Iain McLauchlan.

Cllr McLauchlan claims the council’s involvement in the project could lead to them being sued but council Chairman Alan Turner believes not giving their support would be “an utter disgrace”.

At a meeting on November 24 it was discussed whether Princes Risborough Town Council should join the local branch of the Royal British Legion is paying £250 to The Princes Centre to cover the costs of the project.

In a statement read to the council Cllr McLauchlan said: “The risks of supporting this project financially with the potential for litigation is too high.

“I believe that would should not be subjecting the Town Council and the public purse to these undue risks.”

Between July and November 2014, 888,246 red ceramic poppies were installed in the moat of the Tower of London as part of ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ by Paul Cummins.

Cllr McLauchlan confirmed an email was received from Paul Cummins Ceramics saying that the project, in their opinion, would infringe their copyright under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

At the meeting Cllr Turner replied: “The crux of this issue is whether we are prepared to stick our necks out for people who fought for our lives.

“It would be an utter disgrace if we did not agree and take part in a simple act of remembrance.

“I’m never going to be party to acting in fear and as far as I’m concerned there is no breach of copyright.

The motion as passed with eight votes for, one against and one abstained.