AN anthem written by Essex songwriters to launch the first International War Animal Remembrance Day has hit number one in the classical charts.

The first International War Animal Remembrance Day is on February 24 to honour the service and sacrifice of tens of millions of animals over hundreds of years of conflict.

Its anthem, A Million Tears, was written by Danbury resident Adrian Warwick and his co-writers Mark Young, from Chelmsford, and Grahame Maclean.

Sung by acclaimed soprano Christina Johnston, proceeds from all sales of the song will be donated to War Horse Memorial.

READ MORE: Essex songwriting hit becomes celebrity ambassador for War Horse Memorial

The songwriters and acclaimed soprano are celebrating as the anthem has gone to number one in the iTunes Classical Chart.

It voices how warring nations have used animals in battle and how the purple poppy has become a powerful symbol of their endurance and loss.

NorthStar Music Publishing and its writers Warwick, Young and Maclean say they are "immensely proud and honoured" to be associated with the War Horse Memorial in this cause.

Grahame Maclean, NorthStar founder, said: "For too many years the selfless role that animals have played in countless wars and conflicts throughout the world, have been mainly forgotten.

"At last their sacrifice has been internationally recognised."