HUNDREDS gathered in Bury town centre today to remember the war dead at the annual Remembrance Sunday parade.

Service men and women, both retired and currently serving gathered with dignitaries for the parade which started at the Town Hall Forecourt and marched on to Bury Parish Church.

Here a two-minute silence was observed and wreaths were laid at the war memorial to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in war.

Among those laying wreaths were Bury Mayor, Cllr Tim Pickstone, Bury North MP James Daly, Bury Council leader, Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, past mayors and mayoresses of Bury, and Lieutenant Colonel Eric Davidson, chief marshal of the parade.

Rev Julian Heaton, Rector of Bury, said: “Today is a chance to think about where we are and the cost it has taken to get us here in human lives.”

Veterans, cadets, family and friends turned up in huge numbers to pay their respects with moving tributes at the memorial.

Mr Daly said: “Today is when all of Bury comes together to commemorate the sacrifice of all those who served to ensure we can live in prosperity today and we’re extremely grateful for that.”

The proceedings took on a special significance in light of the pandemic, as last year Bury could not come together to mark Remembrance Sunday in person, and it marked the 100thanniversary of the formation of the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal.

Cllr Pickstone added: “It was brilliant to see such a great turnout for parade, especially because we couldn’t mark the occasion last year.

“It’s the biggest honour for me to take part in this, and it’s so crucial that we keep looking back and thanking the brave men who sacrificed everything for us.”

Lt Col Davidson added: “This is my last parade and it’s a pleasure to have been the chief marshal all these years and I hope this is a fitting tribute to the country’s war dead.

“Being my last one, it’s a sad day but I’m very happy that I’ve been able to do it all these years.”