REMEMBRANCE Sunday services around the Vale welcomed the crowds who watched the many parades as those who have fallen in conflict over the years were remembered.

And animals were remembered too as Rico, a six-year-old chocolate Labrador owned by Julia Buxton, was photographed at Evesham war memorial in memory of the animals who have taken part in the wars over the years.

The Royal British Legion led marches through the streets of their branches, led by bands and observing two minutes' silence at the war memorials at 11am. The town's Army Cadets formed part of the parade and laid wreaths,

At St Egwins Church at Norton and Lenchwick, 60 parishioners gathered for the laying of wreaths for the fallen from both world wars including the Canadian crew of a Wellington bomber that crashed in Lenchwick towards the end of the war. Wreaths were laid by Ambrose Williams a veteran of the 6th Airborne Division who landed in a glider with a detachment of troops to attack and capture Pegasus Bridge during Operation Overlord ( D Day). Another wreath was laid by Mrs Bobbie Marshall who served with The Fleet Air Arm during World War Two.

The service was led by Andy Green, chaplain of Evesham and Pershore Community Hospitals and authorised lay minister at St Egwins.

Pershore residents, dignitaries and representatives of many local organisations attended the Remembrance Day service on Sunday at Pershore Abbey. As usual the Abbey was full and very many of those attending were young people who took an active part in the service including reading some of the names of the Fallen.

Wreaths were laid at the war memorial at the back of the Abbey, with the two minutes silence again marked by a fall of poppy petals from above making this a very poignant aspect of the Remembrance.

The parade numbering over 200 including cadets and other members of uniformed services marched back through the town with the salute being taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Angela Brinton, outside the Town Hall in the High Street where there is a plaque commemorating all those who fell in World War II.