YOUNG and old united in two minutes of silence to mark Armistice Day.

A poignant service of remembrance was held at 11am in Victoria Square, Bolton.

Mayor Cllr Lynda Byrne paid her respects alongside dignitaries, veterans, school children and members of the public, to remember all those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

Brian Clare, of Deane, stood proudly at the service in his father’s medals, who died in the Second World War.

The 79-year-old said: “My dad was killed in 1942 so it is very important for me to be here.

“It’s so nice to see all the school children here, it really is.

“It is them that will carry this on.”

Among the hundreds, who lined the square, was Myra Stott, from Westhoughton.

The 88-year-old said: “I lived through the war and my brother-in-law was taken as a prisoner in Japan and died in a camp in Borneo.

“I come here to remember him and will be coming back on Sunday for the Remembrance Day service.”

The Last Post played as the air and army cadets paid their respects around the War Memorial as a short service and prayers were conducted by Reverend Canon Matt Thompson, who applauded the presence of so many school children.

Teacher Phil Mayo brought his class of Year 2 pupils from Devonshire Road, to the service.

He said: “We come every year and we are really passionate about involving the children in this as they are the next generation.

“We have been learning all about the wars and meaning of Remembrance Day and the symbolism of the poppy and what it represents.

“We have also been doing acrostic poems about the poppy in class.”

Various other school’s including, Tonge Moor Primary School, Gaskell Community Primary School and Nursery, Harper Green School and Castle Street School were amongst those who attended.

Mayor Cllr Lynda Byrne said: “It is really good to see so many children here.

“It is them that have to keep this going so it is really important for them to be here.”

Leader of the council Cliff Morris reiterated the Mayor’s message.

He added: “It is wonderful to see all the children here and I am sure they will remember this day.”

The Mayor of Bolton’s Annual Remembrance Concert, which is celebrating its 25th year takes place on November 12 at Bolton Parish Church at 7pm.

On Sunday November 13, the Mayor of Bolton will lead civic guests and veterans from the town hall onto Victoria Square for the Remembrance Sunday service, which begins at 10.45am.