VETERANS stood alongside those too young to remember, all with their heads bowed, in memory of the fallen in nearly 100 years of conflict at the weekend.

Those gathered at each touching Remembrance Day ceremony on Sunday 11 November echoed back the final poignant words with real feeling: "We will remember them."

Large crowds gathered in communities across north and west Wiltshire to honour their own townspeople and villagers who lost their lives.

The Royal British Legion, which is largely responsible for organising the ceremonies and lead many of the parades, was also marking its 80th anniversary.

For many the remembrance services were even more important this year, not only because Armistice Day fell on Remembrance Sunday for the first time in 11 years, but also because the September 11 American air tragedy is still at the forefront of many people's minds.

Dignitaries joined civic leaders and military personnel and uniformed community groups for the services.

The traditional two minutes silence was observed at the war memorials in Bradford on Avon and Westbury at 11am.

In Westbury, the band headed the parade of British Legion members through the town to the war memorial at the end of the High Street.

Royal British Legion member Eddie Bridges, who returned to the town from Wimborne, Dorset, where he now lives, said: "This is one trip back to my old town that I wouldn't miss."

The Rev Paul Richardson took the service with Air Cadets Stewart and Ammie Pringle and Chris Fenwick on duty at the War Memorial.

Representatives from the military services were joined by members of the emergency services who laid wreaths alongside youth organisations from the town.

Wreaths were laid at the war memorial in Westbury Gardens, Bradford on Avon after a service at Holy Trinity Church. Veterans from the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship and former servicemen were among those to lay tributes.

Trowbridge and Corsham held wreath laying ceremonies at the towns' war memorials after church-based services.

Sea cadets Sean Cooke and Jenny Wiggins joined ATC cadets Nick Dear and Callum Hoblyn, for a combined service guard at the Trowbridge memorial.

A packed service at St James's Church was followed by a parade led by the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band and the Royal British Legion.

Major William Naesmyth, president of the Trowbridge branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "It is encouraging to see so many groups within the town wanting to participate on this important occasion."

Among the organisations to lay wreaths was Trowbridge Fire Station with Paul Chisling laying a wreath on behalf of Wiltshire Fire Brigade.