ST HELENS turned out in force to salute the fallen at the annual Remembrance Sunday service.

Hundreds packed on to Victoria Square, with many craning for a view of the ceremony, led by Reverend Canon David Eastwood of Parish Church.

Veterans of conflicts past stood in solidarity – while there were dozens of young faces from organisations across the borough, a symbol of the message of remembrance being passed through the generations.

Dignitaries, politicians and community leaders were among the crowds as Reverend Deacon David Paul Caldwell, of St Mary’s Lowe House Church, delivered prayers.

He said: “As on this day we look back and remember with gratitude those who died in time of war, let us also look around and remember with compassion those who still suffer as the result of war.”

The Last Post sounded before a two minutes’ silence was observed.

There were words of commemoration from Trevor Howard, of the Royal Naval Association. He said: “They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

“We will remember them.”

Lawrence Powers, of the Burma Star Association, delivered the Kohima Epitaph:

“When you go home,

“Tell them of us and say,

“For your tomorrow,

“We gave our today.”

Eloquent poems were delivered by Ben Taylor and Chris Lamb and prayers followed from Reverend Eastwood.

There were moving performances by Valley Brass Band and Haydock Male Voice Choir before the laying of wreaths and a rousing march past.