BOLTON fell silent as the town came together to remember the soldiers who fell while serving their country.

Hundreds of people gathered in Victoria Square yesterday for the annual Remembrance Sunday service.

Veterans and representatives from the territorial army and other groups, including the Scouts and Sea Cadets, gathered outside the town hall for the service.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Roger Hayes, led dignitaries and civic guests from the town hall into the square for the service.

It was opened with the O God, Our Help in Ages Past before the Last Post rang out and a two minute silence was beautifully observed by all of those gathered.

This was followed by a reading of The Fallen as the crowd gathered together in saying ‘we will remember them’.

The laying of the wreaths was led by the mayor before representatives from various groups followed him to pay their respects at the memorial.

MPs Yasmin Qureshi and Sir David Crausby both placed wreaths as did children from Ladywood School, Firwood School, Devonshire Road School and Johnson Fold School.

Representatives from Greater Manchester Police, the fire service and St John’s Ambulance were among the other groups to lay a wreath.

The service was conducted by The Venerable Alan Wolstencroft, Archdeacon Emeritus of Manchester and the Canon Michael Cooke, from the Diocese of Salisbury, led prayers after the wreath laying including the Lord’s Prayer.

The canon spoke of God giving peace to those who we have lost and asked people to remember the soldiers still fighting and to pray for their safe return.

He also asked for prayers for the countries around the world still ravaged by war.

This was followed by the hymn All People That on Earth Do Well before the Act of Commitment and the National Anthem.

The gathered parade was brought to attention before the blessing and the contingents then marched out of the square to reform in Le Mans Crescent as the crowd applauded.

The units and other organisations then marched past the war memorial to salute it before members of the public were welcomed to place flowers and pay their respects.

Services were held around the borough to mark the occasion, including in Farnworth, Bromley Cross, Blackrod, Horwich, Westhoughton, Kearsley and Little Lever as people came out to pay their respects.

On Saturday night the annual remembrance concert was held at Bolton Parish Church and proceeds from it will go to cadet and veterans organisations.

A short service was also held in Victoria Square on Saturday to mark Armistice Day.