Hundreds of people including public and civic dignitaries gathered at Blackburn Cathedral to mark Remembrance Sunday.

The United Service of Remembrance was held at the cathedral today (November 10) before a parade starting at King William Street and going up to Corporation Park.

Wreaths were laid at the remembrance memorial near the park's entrance while crowds gathered to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The cathedral service began at 9.30am and was led by Canon Dr Jenny Gaffin.

The United Service of Remembrance was held at Blackburn CathedralThe United Service of Remembrance was held at Blackburn Cathedral (Image: NQ)

After the signing of Jerusalem, Cllr Brian Taylor, the mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, gave a reading from the Book of Wisdom.

Amanda Parker JP, Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, also performed a reading from the Gospel of Mark prior to the sermon.

Further hymns and prayers followed before crowds headed to King William Street in the town centre, where the parade formed and made its way past the town hall and onto Sudell Cross before going up to Corporation Park.

The parade was led by mounted police officers from Lancashire Constabulary and music was performed by the Blackburn & Darwen Band.

It also included ex-servicemen and women, the Royal Air Force, military cadets, St John Ambulance, Scouts and Guides, borough councillors, and justices of the peace.

Crowds then gathered around the war memorial in Corporation Park as the first hymn was sung before a reading from Canon Andrew Horsfall.

The park then fell silent but for The Bugler for a perfectly observed rendition of The Last Post followed by a two-minute silence.

Wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial by the Lord Lieutenant, the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn, HM Coroner Chris Long, council leader Phil Riley and chief executive Denise Park, Adnan Hussain MP, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, ex-servicemen and the Royal British Legion.

Elsewhere in the borough today a service took place at St Peter's Church in Darwen, starting at 9am, followed by the wreath laying at Bold Venture Park War Memorial at 10.45am.

Tomorrow, Monday (November 11), a two-minute silence will be held in front of Blackburn Town Hall and Darwen Town Hall at 11am.

On Saturday (November 9) a further service organised by the Darwen branch of the Royal British Legion was held in the market square in Darwen, with wreaths laid at the memorial.

Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Remembrance Day is a chance for us to pay our respects to those who have served in the armed forces.

"It’s also a time to reflect and remember those who have put their lives at risk and continue to do so and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”