SCHOOLCHILDREN from Madeley High School were among those who paid their respects to Britain's war dead on Armistice Day.

Pupils were joined by teachers and villagers as they laid wreaths at Madeley's war memorial.

Everyone bowed their heads and observed the silence at 11am.

Jeanette Carter, temporary resources manager at the high school, said: "We asked the children to say why they would like to come to the memorial, and we had an overwhelming response. Some of them said they wanted to pay their respects to grandparents who died in the World Wars, while others said they wanted to come because they had relatives serving in Afghanistan at the moment."

The pupils who attended the event were from Years 7 to 11.

Bradley Rogers, aged 13, of Madeley, said: "I'm here to remember three people in my family. My great-great-grandfather was stabbed through the lung with a bayonet in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War.

"My great-grandfather on my grandad's side fought during the Second World War and my great-grandfather on my grandmother's side was a sergeant major, who was the first person to shoot down a V1 rocket.

"When I'm older I'd like to be a film director and make a film about the war."

Oliver Harvey, aged 11, of Loggerheads, said: "My dad, both my grandads and my great-grandad were all in the Army. I'd like to join the Army as well when I'm older. I think it's quite a good job to do, because of the qualifications you can get."

Jack Jefferies, aged 11, of Madeley Heath, said: "I've come here today to pay my respects to my great-grandfather, who died during the retreat from Gallipoli in the First World War. I also have an uncle who will be going out to serve in Afghanistan next year."

Emily Bayfield, aged 12, of Ashley, said: "I came to remember my great-grandad who was a prisoner of war during the Second World War. He was in prison for seven months, and when he came back he wrote a book about his experiences. I'm also here to remember my cousin who is in Afghanistan at the moment." Pupils from the Meadows Primary School and Sir John Offley Primary School also took part in the event.

Bill Welsh, chairman of Madeley Parish Council, said: "It is heartening to see so many young people here today.

"This is the first time we've had children from all three schools take part in the Armistice Day event."

In Stoke-on-Trent, hundreds gathered at the cenotaph on Baker Street, Fenton, to pay their respects to the men and women who had lost their lives in conflict.

The service was led by Michael Hodgkiss, a licensed reader from neighbouring Christ Church, who began the ceremony by quoting from Major John McCrae's poem In Flanders Fields.

Addressing the near 200-strong crowd of people, he said: "We are not here to glorify war, we are here to honour human sacrifice and suffering.

"We remember them because their lives were significant, and because of the loss of their potential. So many died so young and so can never be fully appreciated."

Among those paying tribute was Ricky Wilson, aged 29, from Longton.

Ricky, who had served in the Royal Air Force in both Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, said: "I wanted to bring my daughter Isabell here to take in the atmosphere. She's only 18 months but I felt it was important that she came.

"I was a senior aircraft mechanic in the air force and we were supporting the helicopter refuelling bases in Afghanistan. We were out there in the early days, pretty much right after 9/11.

"It's upsetting to see what's going on out there at the moment."

Twenty six Year 6 pupils from Our Lady's Catholic Primary School in Watkin Street attended the ceremony.

Headteacher Stella Adcock, whose son, squadron leader Dr Christopher Adcock, provides medical support to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, said: "We bring the children every year as it is important for them to come and remember the past and take their role as citizens of the future."

Former RAF military policeman Jack Link, aged 70, of Blurton, said: "I've come because my uncle William Link was killed at the Battle of the Somme.

"It was something which really affected the family. I remember one Christmas my dad said he had seen Billy in the living room.

"My two years in the military were some of the best of my life and I really think conscription would sort out some of the problems in this country."

John Parry-Thomas, aged 80, from Blurton, said: "My father William served in the First World War and we were fortunate that he returned. But I have many friends who lost someone during the war."

Across the city, the Reverend Mavis Allbutt laid a wreath at Burslem cenotaph in memory of her son Stephen, who was killed by friendly fire in Iraq.

Corporal Allbutt, of Sneyd Green, was serving with the Queen's Royal Lancers in Iraq when his Challenger II tank came under fire from another British tank in 2003. He died aged 35, alongside Trooper David Clarke, of Stafford, aged 19.

Ms Allbutt, of Holy Trinity Church in Meir, said: "I feel it is so important that we don't forget them, not just because my own son gave his life. These people all gave up their lives for peace and freedom. I think it was very nice that so many people have turned out to pay their respects."

Members of the Royal Lancers' Old Comrades Association said they enjoyed their highest turnout in recent memory, with about 100 people gathering in Swan Square.

Old soldiers joined with shoppers and children from Jackfield Infants School in paying their respects.

Alan Fradley, aged 64, of Bradwell, a member of the Old Comrades Association and a former Queen's Royal Lancer, said: "It is the biggest turnout we have had in a while.

"What has been happening in Afghanistan has kept it in people's minds and a lot of people have come out to show their support and remember the fallen.

"It is nice to see all the children."

Melvin Bourne, aged 62, of Oakhill, also a veteran formerly with the Queen's Royal Lancers, said: "There are a lot of Lancers in Stoke-on-Trent. When I joined up, it seemed most of the regiment was either a Stoke or a Port Vale fan.

"Stoke-on-Trent is a big recruitment area for the regiment, but we have never had the same recognition as the Staffords."

In Cheadle, people gathered in St Giles the Abbott Church to pay their respects to the fallen.

Mayor Julie Bull said: "We observed the silence at 11am and then went to all 10 of the war graves in the graveyard and placed poppies on them.

"We were very pleased with the turnout. It's important we take time to remember the sacrifices people have made for us."