ON the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War people gathered in Pershore to remember the fallen.

It was 100 years ago that Great Britain joined the conflict, which would come to be known as the Great War.

To mark the anniversary the Royal British Legion held a Commemorative Parade, which took to the streets at 1.30pm today (Monday) in front of a crowd of onlookers including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, David William-Thomas.

The parade assembled in Broad Street and was welcomed by Lt Col Susan Payne, president of the Pershore and District Royal British Legion.

Reverend Mark Jennings, the RBL padre, led the service.

He said in his address: "We gather here today, in the heart of Pershore and representing its people, standing together in solemn assembly, to mark the anniversary of British involvement in the cataclysmic conflict often referred to as the Great War.

"We will soon hear the names read from Pershore’s own Roll of Honour, listening for names and surnames which are still signed and heard in and around our town, a clue, I’m sure, to the family connections which abide, names to be read and remembered, heard and honoured; and which by so doing will bring the events of 1914-1918 close to home – and with it the enormity, the reality of the sacrifices so many of our townsfolk were forced to endure in World War I."

A poem penned by 14-year-old Bethany Ireland, a Pershore High School student, was read by its author and Revd Jennings, speaking after the service said it was poignant to see so many young people at the event.

The 101 names on the Pershore Roll of Honour were also read out before Alice Bull, aged 17, played the Last Post and two minutes silence was observed.

The RBL's flag was then raised on the town's central flag pole, which will fly until the end of the month to serve as a reminder of the sacrifices that took place a century ago.