Upwards of 1,200 people, among them veterans and volunteers, paid their respects in Romford at Havering’s biggest Remembrance Day event.

A procession marched from Western Road to the war memorial in Coronation Gardens, with the beginning and end of the 11am two minutes’ silence marked by a cannon being fired. Mayor Cllr Lynden Thorpe laid the first wreath on behalf of the council, followed by tributes from the armed forces, civil groups and residents

After prayers and hymns, the finale was marked by a parade including local veterans, the Territorial Army and cadets as well as Brownies, Scouts and the Boy’s Brigade.

Mayor Cllr Lynden Thorpe said: “It was extremely moving. So many people came along to pay their respects and say a quiet thank you to those souls who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the years.

“I was proud to lay a wreath on behalf of the council.

“The march past at the end was a fitting tribute.”