CROWDS gathered for an annual service to commemorate the soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives in the Burma Campaign.

Victory over Japan (VJ) Day is annually marked at an event at the Burma Star memorial, but this year's service held on Saturday, (August 15), carried extra significance as it is 70 years since the day Japan surrendered, which effectively led to the end of the Second World War.

The event was a joint service organised by the Bromsgrove branch of the Burma Star Association and the Birmingham Association of Far East Prisoners of War.

The service was taken by Padre Canon Graham Lyall from Worcester and Reverend Ray Khan of St John's Church.

Canon Lyall said: "We remember with love and honour those who in conflict most terrible laid down their lives for us.

"Those who still bear in their bodies and minds the wounds and marks of war and those who have suffered bereavement or loss, and feel it deeply today."

Ken Clarke of the Bromsgrove branch of the association read lines from For the Fallen by Lawrence Binyon, including the famous line: "At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them."

The last post and reveille was then followed by a wreath laying ceremony.

The Crown Close memorial, which was used as the town's general war memorial until the armed forces memorial was built in 2013, has recently been refurbished to preserve and maintain its significance in the town.

A Burmese pine tree has also been planted near to it to compliment the theme of the campaign memorial.