EAST LANCASHIRE fell silent at a number of Remembrance Day events held in honour of fallen service men and women.

In Blackburn, a two-minute silence was observed outside Blackburn Town Hall, commemorating those who 'sacrificed their lives in conflict'.

Politicians including Kate Hollern MP and council leader Mohammed Khan were joined by 11 students from Blackburn Central High School to mark the occasion.

D-Day veteran Lewis Banham, 99, from Weir, and fellow veteran Bill Ogden were present at a memorial at Bacup Cemetery and laid wreaths on behalf of all the veterans in their local community.

Mr Banham and Mr Ogden are Royal Signals veterans, and were accompanied by RAF veteran Bernard Tighe along with his daughter Suzie, who represented the Rossendale Scout Group whose young members painted more than 150 'poppy pebbles' for soldiers' graves.

Police forces across East Lancashire also paid their respects, with the Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team gathering with Jake Berry MP and a decorated veteran underneath a large poppy, before the two-minute silence at 11am.

At Lancashire Police headquarters, officers paid their respects by laying a wreath, falling silent and sharing an excerpt from 'For the Fallen' by Laurence Binyon, which reads: "They 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."

In Hyndburn, members of the public joined the Mayor, The Royal British Legion and council members at the War Memorial in Oakhill Park to mark the silence.

Prior to 11am, there were addresses and readings, which were followed by the playing of The Last Post, before the commencement of the silence.

The Royal British Legion then paused to reflect on the sacrifices made by 'The Accrington Pals'. This took place at the Monument within The Accrington Pals Memorial Garden on Church Street.