HUNDREDS of people across East Lancashire stood silent in tribute to our war dead.

Services of Remembrance took place in all major towns and villages, in a year which marked the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

In Blackburn, the cathedral hosted a united service, before the traditional parade to the cenotaph at Corporation Park.

The Bishop of Burnley led the commemorations in the town’s Peace Gardens, a huge poppy was again projected onto the walls of Clitheroe Castle, as part of the service there, and contingents at Accrington, Rawtenstall, Padiham, Whalley, Great Harwood, Nelson and Colne were among those also paying their respects.

Rev David Bacon, who led the Darwen service at Bold Venture Park, observed that it would soon by Lancashire’s younger generation who would have to pick up the remembrance mantle, as the town’s fire cadets, Scouts and Guides looked on.

His message was borne out with a special presentation to teenager runners Matthew Hine, 16, and Matthew Griffin, 17, who completed a five kilometre Poppy Run.

The former St Bede’s students, who each now attend Runshaw College, ran from the park memorial to Darwen Vale and back to the Spitfire statue on The Green as part of efforts to raise £111 for the Royal British Legion.

Matthew Hine said: “I’ve got family serving in the forces and it’s a really good cause.”

His friend Matthew Griffin added: “I’m studying public services and am looking at joining up.”

The pair were praised by Col John Davies, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, who also laid a wreath as part of the ceremony.

“Their efforts today have been absolutely amazing and a fine example of what young people can achieve,” he said.

Chris Holden and Robert Aldcroft, former members of St James’ Band, kept up a longstanding tradition as they sounded the Last Post and Reveille and Lawrence Gilbertson, president of Darwen RBL, delivered the Act of Remembrance.

Darwen’s Library Theatre also hosted Blackburn with Darwen Band’s Festival of Remembrance later in the day.

Saturday saw a wreath laid by the RBL at the recently-restored Boer War Memorial, in Darwen’s Belgrave Square.

The Armistice will be marked on Monday by a two-minute silence outside Blackburn Town Hall, at 11am.

An official unveiling will also take place of a new sculpture, entitled Two Sides of the Same Coin, at Blackburn Library, around noon.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Cllr Jim Shorrock, is also hosting a Remembrance Concert at King George’s Hall the same night, from 7pm, Tickets are priced at £4 with children going free with a fee-paying adult.

Meanwhile supporters of Read Cricket Club have been invited to see the handiwork of Frank Newby, who has installed silhouettes of villagers who served in the world wards around their Whalley Road ground. Youngsters from Read School will adorn them with poppies.