BOLTON'S Remembrance Day parade will be slowed down — after elderly veterans told town hall chiefs they were struggling to keep up.

Ex-servicemen including Robin Scott-Smith called on Bolton Council to slow down the music — after being forced to pull out of last year's march.

Now council bosses say they have listened to the pleas of Bolton veterans and will "alter the pace accordingly".

Mr Scott-Smith, aged 79, said: “They were going so fast last year I could hardly catch my breath.

“Some of the veterans are elderly and cannot walk at a fast pace as the younger ones, and feel they can no longer take part.

“It is possible to slow down the beat down to any music. It would make a big difference to those veterans who can't walk as fast and not a huge difference to the organisation of the parade.

"It would not cause a delay to the service and it would add no more than two minutes on.

“I think if veterans knew the march would be slower, more would join and come back.”

Mr Scott-Smith, now a guide at Smithills Hall and member of Friends of Smithills Hall, served with the Royal Air Force and later the Duke of Lancaster Regiment until the late 1960s.

He served as a instructor, and taught senior officers about nuclear warfare.

Mr Scott-Smith left the armed forces in the late 1960s before setting up his own business in the construction trade with his brother, John, and is now retired.

He wrote to councillors expressing his concerns about veterans feeling they were being forced out of the march.

He said: “All we want to do is to honour the people who have died for this country and if we can’t do it we will feel cheated.

"We want to be able to pay our respects and appreciate what they have done for the country.

"We just want to be able to parade past the monument.

"Being part of the parade is part and parcel of the day."

After hearing about Mr Scott-Smith's concerns and getting similar requests from other veterans, the council agreed to change the pace of the march.

A spokesman said: “Our annual Remembrance Day parade is as much about recognition of the town’s veterans as it is about commemorating those who have lost their lives serving the country and we involve local veterans in the planning of the event.

"We’re sorry if anyone’s concerns have not been acknowledged, however the pace of the parade has already been highlighted and will be altered accordingly.

"The event is always very well attended and we would encourage people to join us again this year."

Cllr John Walsh, who helps co-ordinate the service, added: "This has been brought to my attention previously.

"I have spoken to the band to the slow down the parade.

"It is hugely important veterans take part. It is their colleagues they are commemorating who served the country and gave their lives."

This year's Remembrance Day service takes place on Sunday, November 8, in Victoria Square with details being finalised this week.

On Wednesday, November 11, following an 11am service for Armistice Day in Victoria Square, a memorial service will take place for Second World War veteran Walter Wood, who died this month aged 93.

Mr Wood, who grew up in Halliwell, lied about his age to join up to the Territorial Army.

He was sent to fight in Normandy eight days after D Day.

The memorial service will take place at Bolton Parish Church at noon.