HUNDREDS of people will unite across the borough to remember the soldiers who gave their lives and who served during the First World War.

Year on year, the numbers attending Bury's armistice events increase, with more and more wreaths placed at the town war memorial, indicating the respect for the occasion.

An appeal has been made to the community to turn out in force for 2018 as the world commemorates the centenary of the end of the First World War — 100 years since the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, bringing the four-year international war to an end.

Several wreath-laying ceremonies and remembrance services have been planned as part of the annual armistice commemorations.

The town's annual poppy appeal for the Royal British Legion was launched during a special ceremony at Bury Town Hall on Monday afternoon.

Organiser Col Eric Davidson said: "Let us all be mindful of the ultimate sacrifice given 100 years ago in The Great War.

"It would be really good to see the numbers increase again in 2018 marking the end of the First World War."

Col Davidson has requested an excellent turnout at the town's remembrance day parade and church service, as well as for members of the public to give generously to this year's poppy appeal.

The details for this year's remembrance service and parade are as follows:

Friday, November 9: Fusilier remembrance service and wreath laying

This will take place in Gallipoli Garden, adjacent to the Fusilier Museum in Silver Street, Bury, at 11am. Everyone is invited to attend.

Saturday, November 10: Remembrance service

This will be held at the memorial in Tesco’s car park, Woodfields, Bury, at 11am. This site was formerly a chapel and graveyards where war veterans were buried.

Sunday, November 11: Civic parade and church service

The assembly point for veterans and standards will be Knowsley Street, Bury, at 10.15am.

Parades will leave Knowsley Street at 10.35am, arriving in Market Place at 10.50am.

The Last Post and Reveille will be held at the town war memorial at 11am, followed by a wreath laying and service in Bury Parish Church.

Following the church service, there will be a parade back to the Town Hall when a salute will be taken by the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Jane Black, and service personnel.

Light refreshments will then be served in the Elizabethan Suite.

Col Davidson also called for residents across the borough to consider the animals that served.

He said: "Could I ask that this year we consider all animals irrespective of size shape and breed, who also gave the ultimate a sacrifice during the First World War."

Clip-on poppy reflectors for animals will be on sale at static points within Bury town centre, including Asda, Tesco, Mill Gate Shopping Centre, Marks & Spencer, B&Q, and the Fusilier Museum.

Anyone who would like to help with this year's poppy appeal collections in Bury should contact Col Davidson on 0161 705 1577.