VETERANS and cadets from Leek travelled to Italy to join their counterparts in paying tribute to those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

The visit was arranged by councillor Steve Povey and was the third bi-annual visit to Italy as part of the town's twinning arrangement with Este. The Italian soldiers visited Leek for last year's remembrance services - Remembrance Day in Italy takes place a week earlier than here.

Mr Povey said: "During the service we laid wreaths in memory of the Italian soldiers who died in the Second World War. We were invited to attend their church service and take part in the parade.

"The veterans were taken to the officers' club in Padua, near Este, for lunch, to a war museum and to see some of the graves of Este's soldiers."

Councillor Keith Harrison, a former national serviceman, visited Este this year as a representative of Leek Town Council.

He said: "A lot of the veterans are finding it more difficult to participate in these events so it's very important we get young people involved to keep it going. And of course to keep remembering those who died.

"These visits give the opportunity for the veterans to share their memories with their Italian counterparts."

Fred Duffield, aged 82, served in the Second World War as a paratrooper.

Mr Duffield, from Badnall Street, in Leek, said that he was treated with the utmost respect during his visit.

He added: "I was the only ex-serving member of the Second World War as the others were all veterans of the post-war organisations and peacekeeping groups. I was treated like royalty by the Italians and my own comrades.

"I received a standing ovation on several occasions when the interpreter explained to the Italians that I was a former paratrooper who fought in World War Two.

"I was taken everywhere and had my own driver because I'm disabled and everyone wanted to carry my bags for me."

George Walton, aged 71, from Queen Street, in Leek, served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) following the war.

His highlight was meeting a 102-year-old former Italian general.

He said: "We were invited to meet some members of the Alpine resistance regiment. These gentlemen were the salt of the earth and had their headquarters in an old watchtower. They were pleased to see us and very friendly.

"Overall there's not much difference between Italian and Leek Remembrance Days, but ours is more visual and I got the feeling not as many members of the public attend theirs."

John Bridgett, aged 78, is a member of the Rudyard and Horton branch of the Royal British Legion. Mr Bridgett lives in Rudyard and did his national service in the medical corps following the war in Egypt and the Sudan.

He said: "The parade went very well and it brought to the fore how important it is to remember. A lot of Italians died fighting with us in the last stages of the war.

"The army cadets were outstanding and a credit to the youth of this country."

Bill Vaughan, aged 68, is the chairman of the Rudyard and Horton branch. He played the Last Post and Reveille on the bugle.

He said: "Overall it was a great success and it is something which should be fostered for the future.

"I thought the Italian service was very similar to ours, it followed the same form.

"I think remembrance is something everyone should be aware of, particularly youngsters because if those men hadn't done what they did we wouldn't be living like we are."