THOUSANDS of people in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale stood in silent tribute to remember the service men and women who gave their lives for their country.

Services and wreath laying ceremonies were held in towns and villages with young and old standing side-by-side for the solemn acts of remembrance.

In Padiham the Rev Celia Cartwright said the people the media termed "New Age troublemakers" were really modern day peace keepers, digging holes to stop roads which would only damage our lungs.

She called for people to give peace a chance saying: "If giving peace a chance is not to conform then let us all be non-conformists."

Padiham's service was at the Nazareth Unitarian Chapel before a parade to the cenotaph where wreaths were laid.

Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Sea Cadets band led a parade of members of the Royal British Legion, youth groups including Air Training Corps, Army Cadets, Scouts and Guides, and representatives from the police, fire, St John Ambulance and Red Cross in Burnley. They gathered at the garden of Remembrance for a service conducted by Dean Leo Heakin from St John's RC Church.

Burnley Mayor Coun Enid Tate, accompanied by councillors, officers and parish councillors paraded to the police station where the salute was taken as the ex-service men and women and other groups marched past.

In Rossendale hundreds gathered in the main towns to take part in the services and in the village of Subbins a new garden of remembrance at Scapa Forming was dedicated by the Mayor and Mayoress Coun Peter and Lynne Heyworth.

Villages all over Pendle held their own services and parades and in Nelson and Colne large crowds gathered to take part in the services and wreath laying ceremonies.

Many shops and businesses will come to a silent standstill tomorrow to mark the official two minute silence on Armistice Day at 11am.

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