MILITARY standards fluttered in the breeze and patriotic pride was on parade at the Armed Forces Day ceremony at St Helens Cenotaph.

This time-honoured monument in Victoria Square remembering the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts, including Afghanistan and Iraq, was uppermost in the minds of all on this, the 67th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

There was a sombre sense of occasion etched in the faces of the huge audience of townsfolk, including many youngsters, who turned out to pay their respects at the ceremony, which first marched on parade in 1926.

Led by Mayor, Councillor Tom Hargreaves and mace bearer Jim Taylor plus other civic dignitaries, the parade fell in at noon under the command of Regimental Sergeant Major Andrew Connor.

Words of welcome were extended by the Reverend Gary McGowan, followed by the hymn God is Our Strength and Refuge, with Haydock Valley Band providing appropriate backing music.

Mr McGowan then read the Lesson focusing on the Beatitudes and the Sermon on The Mount, while the 'Sing Out Choir' were heard to pleasing effect with Hymme a'lamour. Talented teenager Emma Mawdsley also sang Fields of Gold.