A BINMAN today spoke of his pride at being selected to carry a Royal British Legion standard in front of millions of people to honour the war dead.

Bob Wood, 49, will represent all Lancashire branches at the legion's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall tomorrow and in the wreath-laying at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday.

BBC1 is screening both events, so Bob's family will be crowding around televisions trying to catch a glimpse of him with the Darwen branch's standard.

Bob, of Highfield Road, Darwen, was selected after being drawn out of a hat that included all of Lancashire's 155 standard bearers. It is thought to be the first time Darwen has been lucky enough to represent the county.

Bob, a father-of-three, a member of the Darwen branch for seven years, said: "I will be very proud indeed.

"I don't know what to expect but it will be a good experience. I have been getting a lot of teasing from my work colleagues but hopefully they will watch me on television. It is a great honour." He sets off for the capital with his wife and a new black suit for the occasion. He will have little time for sightseeing, however.

On Saturday there is an afternoon and evening Festival of Remembrance. Actress Claire Sweeney, actor Richard Todd and blind Falklands veteran Terry Bullingham will be giving either performances or readings. About eight million people are expected to watch the evening event from 9.05pm on BBC1.

Then on Sunday at around 10.30am, Bob will carry the standard at the Cenotaph in Whitehall where the Queen, MPs, armed forces and representatives of the Commonwealth will all lay wreaths. Then there will be the usual two minutes' silence.

Bob said: "It has created a lot of local interest and it may just interest young people to remember the war dead more if they see someone like me doing this."