MERSEYSIDE Police have issued an apology to anyone upset by the disturbance during the Remembrance Sunday service when a deafening police siren shattered the two minutes silence.

Townsfolk paying silent respects to all those who lost their lives during the two world wars were left with their hands clapped over their ears in an effort to keep out the noise of an emergency siren during the service at Victoria Square in St Helens town centre.

Michael McGann of the Royal British Legion, one of the chief organisers of the event, was fuming with the police for the incident: "It was absolutely stupid. Everybody was disgusted."

He added: "We treated it with the contempt it deserved but we certainly wouldn't let it break the spirit of the crowd. I was very pleased to see so many youngsters at the service yet how can you expect them to show respect when you have something like this happen?"

Merseyside Police's Inspector Tony Redman, said: "I offer a sincere apology to all those present at the Remembrance service. The use of the emergency horn was totally inappropriate at that point in time.

"The officer responsible has been spoken to by the Area Policing Commander, Supt. Ann Moore and has been advised accordingly."

Mayor's secretary, David Hayes said: "I've been attending these since 1968 and I can honestly say it's the first time that I've ever seen this happen."

The officer involved was attending a report of an injury at a road traffic accident in Newton-le-Willows.

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