A LARGE crowd of men, women and children of all ages gathered at Embankment Road's war memorial in Kingsbridge on Sunday to take part in the annual service of remembrance.

Members of local groups and organisations gathered on Kingsbridge Quay to parade to the memorial to observe a two-minute silence at 11am.

The parade included representatives from the Royal Navy, the Royal British Legion, the Air Training Corps, Kingsbridge Town Council, Rotary International, the Lion's Club, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, St John's Ambulance, Kingsbridge and District Guides, Scouts, Brownies and Kingsbridge and District Churches Together.

The Rev John Beadle led the act of remembrance at the memorial with an introductory speech, which was followed by president of the Kingsbridge branch of the Royal British Legion Ken Court addressing the crowd.

The Last Post was sounded by Vic Shaw of Kingsbridge Silver Band, which led into the two-minute silence.

The sun shone for the service, which saw 19 wreaths being laid at the memorial by local groups.

More than 600 people gathered for the service then joined in with hymns and the Lord's Prayer before singing the first verse of God Save The Queen, which signalled the end of the service at the memorial.

The parade then headed back to the Quay and a service was held at St Edmund's Church.

Eric Johnson, chairman of the Kingsbridge branch of the RBL, said it was the biggest service he had ever seen and believes the high attendance was in part due to the fact that a high number of servicemen are from the Westcountry and FIFA trying to ban the England players from wearing poppies during their international match against Spain on Saturday, which highlighted the Poppy Appeal.

He added that the service was brilliant and a lot of people went to the Mill Club in the afternoon, which provided excellent entertainment.

Kingsbridge mayor John Binns has chosen the Royal British Legion as one of his charities to support during his year as mayor. He said: 'I found the ceremony and church service a most moving experience and the size of the attendance perhaps indicative of the awful fact that yet again as a nation we have had to resort to war.

'As an ex serviceman and son of someone who served on both the north-west frontier of India in the early 30s and in the Second World War, I would like to add my personal thanks to those of the council for the efforts of the Royal British Legion in ensuring that "we will remember them.'