GLORIOUS sunshine beat down on East Lancashire as communities came together to remember their own Glorious Dead.

Remembrance Sunday services took place in towns and villages as veterans paused to remember colleagues who had fallen in battles old and new.

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One of the largest event took place in Corporation Park, Blackburn, where hundreds of people looked on as wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph in the Gardens of Remembrance.

For many in attendance, the day, which took on a special poignancy reflecting on 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War, began at Blackburn Cathedral.

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The Very Reverend Christopher Armstrong, Dean of Blackburn Cathedral led a religious service before Blackburn with Darwen Band led a civic parade to Corporation Park.

Addressing the crowd, Dean Armstrong said: "Welcome to this beautiful park, in which we gather to reflect upon a century of the war dead and those who have been maimed. We pray that the contrast between the beauty of this place and the horror of war, may encourage us further to live in peace."

Poppy wreaths were laid by around 30 dignitaries and organisations including the Royal British Legion, Jack Straw MP, the Mayor of Blackburn Alan Cottam, and Coun Kate Hollern, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council.

At 11am, a two-minute silence was impeccably observed by veterans, schoolchildren, police, Scouts, soldiers and members of the public alike.

Dean Armstrong said afterwards: "There is a great feeling of community at times like these and I thought the unity displayed today by people from many different backgrounds was incredible."

Coun Cottam added: "It was a fantastic turnout and very pleasing to see so many ex-service personnel from various conflicts. It was a tremendous event. I think it gets bigger and better every year."

Bob Raynor, 62, laid a memento in honour of his great-great uncle, Herbert Raynor, who died in the Aubers Ridge in May 1915, aged 20.

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He said: "My great-great uncle lived in Blakey Street and served in the 1st Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. There were so many casualties the day he died that they cancelled the third wave. This was the best Remembrace Day I've been to."

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, who attended five events yesterday, said: "I was an honour to deliver the reading at the war memorial in Barrowford."

In Darwen, a service specially arranged for local schoolchildren took place at the Cross of Sacrifice in Darwen Cemetery, followed by children placing crosses on all of the war graves in the cemetery.

A civic Remembrance service took place on Saturday in the Market Square, with hundreds of people braving the rain to pay their respects.

Led by Rev Debbie Keegan, a minute’s silence was followed by the Last Post and wreaths laid by local dignitaries.

Wreaths were then also laid after a short service at the Boer War memorial at the bottom of Bolton Road.

Town council mayor Coun Trevor Maxfield said: “There was a wonderful turnout despite the rain and the silence was impeccably observed.

“The service at the Boer War memorial was made even more poignant with the dedication of the first paving slab for our First World War memorial project that will be ongoing over the next four years.”

And on Sunday, a service was held at St Peter’s Church followed by a wreath-laying at Bold Venture Park.

Residents in Hoddlesden paid their respects during a service at St Paul’s Primary School, which was followed by coffee at the Carus Centre and a wreath-laying at the village war memorial.