RESPECTFUL crowds gathered in Droitwich on Sunday to remember those who have died fighting for their country.

At the town's war memorial in Victoria Square, a service was held paying tribute to those killed in World Wars One and Two, along with more recent conflicts.

Councillor Graham Beale, mayor of Droitwich, laid a wreath at memorial before taking the salute and joining the parade to the following service at St Andrews Church.

He said: "It was very impressive. A lot of people turned up which was very nice. We were blessed with the fact that it didn't rain.

"The most important thing was to remember people, mostly young people who were not allowed to have a life because of the injuries they had.

"At the end of the day it is all to try and maintain our way of life. We are very blessed in this country."

Various cadet, scout and guide, cub and brownie packs, along with the Young Firefighters and other groups assembled to take part in the parade. The Salvation Army band and RAF band were also present, along with local dignitaries.

In Worcester, the Cathedral was filled with visitors for the Remembrance Sunday service, led by Dean of Worcester the Very Reverend Dr Peter Atkinson.

Roger Knight, mayor of Worcester, attended the service before laying a wreath at the war memorial.

He said: "It is important that we all remember the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives in past conflicts. We should be grateful for the freedoms it has given us today."

Hundreds of people stood in sombre silence as the Last Post was played, with a gun blast announcing the start of the two minutes' silence.

Wreathes were laid at the memorial by dignitaries, including the mayor, followed by a hymn sung by the cathedral choir.

As the procession marched into town, residents of Worcester lined the streets to pay their respects to the men and women who have served in the armed forces.

Allan Poyner, chair of the Worcester branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "I think it was well attended this year. It was a very good service. We are known as the Faithful City. I think it is important that we do remember the past and where we have come from and what the price has been for that."

He praised the efforts of street collectors for the RBL's yearly Poppy Appeal, who have raised around £13,000 for the Legion.

The total is set to rise once collection boxes in shops have been counted too.

"They have done an absolutely wonderful job and they deserve to be thanked," added My Poyner.

Over at St Johns Cemetery around 20 people attended the annual service to commemorate the life of World War One hero Reverend Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy.

Nicknamed 'Woodbine Willie' for his morale-boosting actions handing out cigarettes with a Bible to troops in France, he was Vicar of St Paul's Church in Worcester for eight years from 1914.

A service, including several poppy readings, was delivered at the memorial to Rev Kennedy on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking with regard to the service at St Johns, Mr Poyner said: "It is something that has been build on for a number of years now. Given the weather we have had more people out then I anticipated. I think it is important that we remembrance people like Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy.

"That particular war took a lot of lives and in the midst of all that dark was the light of people like him."

A parade also took place in Claines with residents turning out to uphold the memory of those who have fought in conflicts around the world.

Across the county, many remembrance events took place on Sunday including at Malvern where a parade along Graham Road was well attended. A Service of Remembrance was led by Rev’d Canon John Barr at the War Memorial at Great Malvern Library.

A wreath laying ceremony also took place, with the service concluding with a final parade from the library to take the salute along Graham Road.

At Pershore Abbey a service was held on Sunday morning, after a veteran and cadet parade marched from Pershore Leisure Centre to the Abbey.

Wick Church also held Remembrance Sunday Service.

In Evesham, Royal British Legion members along with member of the town council assembled in the market square for a parade along Bridge Street to the war memorial. The parade concluded at All Saints' Church where a service was held.