THOUSANDS of people across the area observed the two minutes' silence to mark Remembrance Day on Monday.

But in Brierfield they were also thinking about the desecration at the war memorial caused when vandals wrecked poppy wreaths, snapped the flag pole and stole the Union Jack.

The attack happened within half an hour of the Remembrance Sunday service.

The private recognition of the fallen on Monday followed formal Remembrance services the day before.

Rocket maroons were fired from the roofs of public buildings to mark the timing as shops and businesses fell silent.

The Royal British Legion led the call for the Armistice Day silence in respect of fallen servicemen.

Some old soldiers were upset by music by Burnley Scout and Guide Band who had been asked to play for a Remembrance Day parade in Clitheroe. Instead of sombre music they played the Barry Manilow pop tune Copacabana for the veterans.

A spokesman for the band later apologised.

In Nelson, political differences were buried as Labour MP Gordon Prentice and his prospective Conservative parliamentary opponent John Midgley stood side by side in a procession which featured by two fire engines and an old US Army vehicle.

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