Pictures of Remembrance Sunday service in St Helens

Hundreds of veterans, serving personnel and members of the public marked the event at Victoria Square.

Valley Brass band performed for the crowds, which observed the parade march from Corporation Street in St Helens and a service led by Reverend Rachel Shuttleworth, of St Helens Parish Church.

Reverend Rachel Shuttleworth led the service (Image: Bernard Platt) Veterans with the Standards (Image: Bernard Platt) Once again the number of young families who stood in the grounds surrounding St Helens Town Hall, where dozens of service people past and present gathered, was noticeable.

During the service, prayers were read by Deacon Dave Lawson of St Austin's RC Church, Deacon Helen Coleman of Sankey Methodist Circuit and Imam Zakariyya of St Helens Mosque.

Deacon Coleman said: "As on this day we look back and remember with gratitude those who died in time of war, let us also look around and remember with compassion those who still suffer as the result of war."

Saints Eamonn McManus (centre) was among the crowds (Image: Bernard Platt) Large crowds gathered in Victoria Square (Image: Bernard Platt) The Last Post followed before words of commemoration were read by Dave Forber: "They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old.

"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

"We will remember them."

We will remember them - veterans gathered for the poignant service (Image: Bernard Platt) Prayers and poems were read as St Helens remembered the fallen (Image: Bernard Platt) Veterans wore their medals with pride (Image: Bernard Platt) The crowds fell silent as Mr Forber read the Kohima Epitaph: "When you go home.

"Tell them of us and say.

"For Your Tomorrow.

"We gave our today."

Jimmy Williams read the poem Flanders Field before Reverend Shuttleworth offered further prayers, asking the crowds to pledge "that we may help, encourage and comfort others, and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of the nations".

Imam Zakariyya, of St Helens Mosque, read prayers (Image: Bernard Platt)
Prayers were said for those affected by war (Image: Bernard Platt) Haydock Male Voice Choir and Valley Brass Band united for a performance of Our God Our Help in Ages Past and the national anthem followed.

Reverend Shuttleworth led the laying of the wreaths from organisations across St Helens before the public joined the planting of the crosses.

St Helens South & Whiston MP Marie Rimmer, council leader Anthony Burns and council chief executive Kath O'Dwyer were among the official party (Image: Bernard Platt) Merseyside Police were among organisations to lay wreaths (Image: Bernard Platt) A youngster plants a cross of remembrance (Image: Bernard Platt) Crosses of remembrance were planted (Image: Bernard Platt) The ceremony of remembrance concluded with a rousing parade through Victoria Square by the different organisations.

The parade through Victoria Square (Image: Bernard Platt) A pair of military boots left alongside wreaths at the war memorial in St Helens (Image: Bernard Platt) Pictures of the service by Bernard Platt