HUNDREDS of people turned out to pay their respects to those killed in war despite the pouring rain this morning.

People started gathering at the war memorial in Worcester, outside the cathedral, from around 10.20am in preparation for the Armistice Day service, which began at around 10.45am.

Members of the Worcester branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) joined with members of the public to listen to Rev Canon Paul Tongue, who led the service.

Canon Tongue opened the service with a speech to "pay tribute to the Armed Forces and the people whose lives are disfigured by war".

The crowds joined in with a recital of the Lord's Prayer before a few lines from John McCrae's In Flanders Fields were read out.

The Last Post signalled the start of a two minute silence at 11am, and Phil Banks, a standard bearer and vice-chairman of Worcester's RBL said he was pleased with how many people came out to support the service.

"We had a good turn out, even though it was raining. People know how important it is that the people who gave their lives for us are remembered," he said.

Charlie Harding, aged 89, served with the Worcestershire Regiment in the Second World War.

Mr Harding, who lives in the Blackpole area of Worcester, said: "I was sent out to Germany, Italy and Yugoslavia. Having seen the things I have seen and seen the effects that war has on people, I think it's so important that we all take time to pay respect to everyone who has died fighting for this country."

Rev Tongue said that attendance at the service seemed to be growing year on year.

"This year, largely because of the pouring rain I would think, not as many people have come out. But I've done this service for the past six years and I think attendance is growing. As well as our service there have been all sorts of things going on to mark the day, and that's really nice to see."