SILENCE descended on Leek town centre on Sunday as hundreds of people stood together to remember the town's fallen.

Despite the winter rain, the streets surrounding the Nicholson War Memorial were lined with people wanting to pay their respects.

This year's Remembrance event started with a service at St Edward's church, led by the Rev Matthew Parker, with a congregation of approximately 500, filling the church.

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Pictures from Remembrance services in Leek, Cheadle and Uttoxeter

Following the service, a parade under the command of Geoff Robinson BEM, of the Leek branch of the Royal British Legion, marched to the Nicholson War Memorial for the Act of Remembrance and wreath laying, led by the band of the 5th Leek Scouts.

The music at The Monument was provided by the Leek Salvation Army band, conducted by Joe Bate.

The Last Post and Reveille were played by members of the scout band.

The parade was led by the Union Standard and standards of The Royal British Legion, Royal Artillery Association, Royal Air Force Association, Leek Army Cadet Force, 60 Squadron Air Training Corps, Leek St John's Ambulance, the Guides and Brownies.

The Parade included members of the Royal British Legion and Royal Air Force Association veterans associations, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Peter Moxon, Charlotte Atkins MP, district council chairman Councillor Tony McNichol, Leek town mayor Councillor Brian Johnson, Leek town Mayor, district council leader Councillor Sybil Ralphs, other councillors and magistrates.

The schools were represented by Leek High Specialist Technology School, Westwood College, Churnet View Middle School, All Saints and Leek First School.

Councillor McNichol said: "Some of those that have attended a lot of these ceremonies over the years said that it's the best turn-out that they have ever seen.

"It seems that with all the conflicts that are going on at present, more people are remembering the war dead than did a few years ago.

"It's very heart-warming, and moving, to see so many people turning out on a cold, wet day to remember those that gave their lives for us all those years ago."

In the afternoon, the Ball Haye Green Remembrance service took place.

Leek Army Cadets and the second Leek Scout band led a parade up Ball Haye Green to the memorial on the Ball Haye green recreational ground.

The Last Post and Reveille were again played by members of the 5th Leek Scout Band.

Wreaths were laid by Haregate In Action and Haregate Residents' Association, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Este Town Council, Leek Army Cadets, Leek, Rudyard and Horton Royal British Legions and Leek Town Council.

Standards were also carried for the Leek Royal British Legion, Rudyard and Horton Royal British Legion, Union Standard and the Leek Army Cadets.

The Rev Roger Wood, from St Paul's church in Novi Lane, led the service, which finished with the Lord's Prayer.

The parade was then led back to Ball Haye Green Workingmens' Club.

MP Charlotte Atkins said: "I was delighted to see so many people turn out for the Leek ceremony, and the service at Ball Haye Green goes from strength to strength each year.

"I was so pleased to see so many young people involved. Now that the Armistice and wars are on the national curriculum, it brings home to young people the importance of honouring those who fell in both great wars and wars since then."

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