SILENCE fell across Worcestershire as people paid their respects to the country’s fallen servicemen and women.

Remembrance Sunday services took place in every corner of the county including Worcester, Malvern, Pershore, Evesham and Droitwich.

In Worcester a huge crowd, all wearing their poppies with pride, gathered outside the cathedral ahead of the wreath-laying ceremony at 10.50am, with the start and end of the two minute silence marked by the playing of the Last Post.

Wreaths were laid on the city’s war memorial by dignitaries including Mayor of Worcester Councillor Roger Berry and Worcester MP Robin Walker, as well as members of the armed forces and other organisations.

College Street was closed in both directions as hundreds of people surrounded the war memorial to listen to readings from the Dean of Worcester, the Very Rev Peter Atkinson, and Bishop of Worcester the Rt Rev Dr John Inge.

The Worcester Male Voice Choir led the hymn singing, which was accompanied by the Salvation Army band.

The wreath-laying service followed a public service in the cathedral at 10am, which was attended by veterans, members of the Royal British Legion and member of the public, as well as deputy lord lieutenant Angela Brinton, Coun Berry, Mr Walker and other city dignitaries.

Members of the Boys’ Brigade band joined the parade to the cathedral.

Speaking after the service, Mr Walker said: “There was a fantastic turnout this morning, best I have ever seen. I think the beautiful weather probably helped with that.

“Every year there seems to be a bigger crowd for the service. It’s always a real privilege to take part in that and today’s was very special.

“There was even more people outside the cathedral and the High Street was very densely packed.

“It just goes to show how passionate people are and how much they care about the armed services.”

Mr Walker added that the Dean’s sermon during the service inside the cathedral dral was “very impressive”.

Other groups involved in yesterday’s service included serving officers, the Territorial Army, Navy, Army and Air Force Cadets, St John Ambulance, and Scouts and Guides.

After the two-minute silence, the deputy lord lieutenant and the mayor took the salute outside the Guildhall as veterans and uniformed organisations marched past.

Elsewhere in Worcester, a service took place in St John in Bedwardine from 10am, followed by a wreath-laying.

In Claines, a parade of RBL members and the 8th Worcester Scouts and Guides took place from the Church Hall in Cornmeadow Lane to St John the Baptist Church,.

At 11am, a minute’s silence took place at the cenotaph, followed by a wreath laying ceremony and then a service inside the church.

In Malvern, a remembrance service took place at the Great Malvern library war memorial at 10.45am and was later followed by a parade and service at Malvern Priory at 3pm.

At 7pm, the Malvern Male Voice Choir performed a concert at the Church of Ascension in Somers Park Avenue.

In Evesham, the parade marched from Market Square along Bridge Street to Abbey Park war memorial, where respects were paid to the fallen during the wreath-laying ceremony before a service at All Saints’ Church.

In Pershore, the wreath-laying and remembrance service took place inside the abbey. Before a parade from the leisure centre at 10.15am, pupils from Pershore High School laid wreaths at Abbey Park memorial garden.

In Droitwich, there was a parade from Victoria Square at 10.30am then a wreath-laying and a service at St Andrew’s Church.