HUNDREDS stood in silent tribute at the remembrance garden, Corporation Park, Blackburn to honour war dead.

The parade, after a service at Blackburn Cathedral, was followed by wreath-laying when all ages stood together for the many who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Remembrance Sunday touched many as service men and women lined up before the rows of white crosses bearing the names of fallen heroes.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun David Foster, laid a wreath at the service.

He said: "I was surprised to see so many people there, especially so many young ones. It is nice to see they still believe that remembering our fallen soldiers is important."

Harold Wareing, 79, of Openshaw Drive lost his father in the First World War. He added: "This is obviously a very emotional day and I just hope we never have to go through anything like the two wars ever again.

"Hopefully the youth of today will have more sense and be able to talk instead of fighting."

James Eaves, 84, of Heys Close, Blackburn chairman of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, also laid a wreath. Shedding a tear he added: "I always think of those who never made it back. It was an honour to lay the wreath today."

Tributes were also paid in Darwen on Saturday when hundreds gathered in the town centre.

Wreaths were laid then there was a parade to the war memorial shortly after 11am. A service also took place yesterday at St Peter's Church, Darwen.

Oswaldtwistle stood in silence yesterday for the town's tributes at the memorial on Rhyddings Street at 2.30pm.

A parade from Thwaites Road congregated around the memorial for a service lead by Canon Michael Ratcliffe.

One ex-serviceman, Raymond Cox, 81, of Moorhouse Avenue, Accrington, was in the army during the Second World War.

He said: "I had many uncles in the First World War, one was trapped for three days underground. The wars then had real causes not like all the nonsense these days."