HUNDREDS of people gathered together for solemn services of Remembrance across Bolton on Sunday. Cenotaphs were surrounded by veterans, soldiers, young cadets and members of the public to pay respects to those who served in wars over the years.

Members of both the public and the armed forces attended services in Farnworth, Kearsley, Westhoughton, Blackrod, and more centres around the borough. Each memorial service was filled with special stories of families affected by war and community efforts to remember them.

In Farnworth on Sunday morning, around 400 people attended the town’s service, including the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Manchester, Alderman Noel Spencer, the area’s councillors, cadets, members of the Scouting movement and representative of the serving forces and emergency services.

Among the participants was a serving Royal Marine, who wanted to share a special memory at the Remembrance service with his young son.

He created a uniform for his son to wear on the day, made out of an old uniform he wore during his career in the military.

Over in Kearsley, the town’s youth brass band were drafted in at the last minute to lead the parade. With just three weeks to go, the 30-strong band of youngsters ranging from seven to 17-years-old diligently rehearsed marching while playing — something they had never had to master before.

Stephen Tonge, the youth brass band leader, said: “It’s unusual for a youth brass band to lead the march, they had never done it before.

“They were on cloud nine when they had done it, it gave them a big lift. They were quite worried beforehand.

“Involving the young people, that’s how things get passed on.”