THOUSANDS of people across the Vale made their way out into a cold and foggy morning to lend their support to Remembrance Sunday services.

Veterans, members of the armed forces, cadets and the public joined together in a show of solidarity to pay their respects to the fallen.

In Evesham, Ian Bostock from the Evesham Sea Cadets led the parade which lined up in Market Square before marching down Bridge Street and into Abbey Park for a short service at the War Memorial.

Two minutes silence was then observed followed by the traditional wreath laying ceremony where the first wreath was layed by Evesham Mayor Coun Jim Bulman.

The parade then marched up through the Bell Tower to a service at All Saints Church conducted by Rev Caroline Homan, while the sermon was given by Rev Barry Collins, the mayor’s chaplain.

Coun Bulman said: “I was very moved by the whole occasion and was impressed with the turn out of all the youth groups which attended, they were immaculate. I was also pleased to see the old veterans and could appreciate the effort they had made to be there. The emotion of the whole event was overwhelming at times.”

In Pershore, the Remembrance Day Parade was coordinated for the first time by the town council in conjunction with Pershore Abbey and the Royal Naval Association.

Wreaths were layed at the foot of the war memorial in the Abbey while serving officers, veterans and members of the RBL, RNA and other organisations joined in the parade to and from the Abbey, and which was led this year by the Bretforton Silver Band.

A salute was then taken by Maj Oliver Bryant of the Mercian Regiment in front of Pershore Town Hall where the town clock was installed as a permanent reminder to the war dead.

The mayor of Pershore, Coun Chris Parsons, said: “I was pleased to see so many of our young people joining us and taking an active part in the service. it is important that both the parade and the service continue, giving the town the opportunity to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom."