THOUSANDS of people attended annual parades and wreath laying ceremonies across north and west Wiltshire to remember those who fought and died in two world wars and more recent military conflicts.

There were big turnouts for the Remembrance Sunday services in most towns this year following the lifting of Covid pandemic restrictions.

In Chippenham, the town council and Royal British Legion marked the occasion with a parade through the High Street, which followed a public Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial.

The town’s mayor Cllr Liz Alstrom thanked all those who attended the Remembrance Services, saying: “This morning after the service at St Andrews led by Rev Rod Key, we gathered at the war memorial for two minutes silence at 11am and the laying of poppy wreaths.

“We were joined by Chippenham Royal British Legion, the Wiltshire Lieutenancy, the Leader of Wiltshire Council, 9 Regiment RLC, and so many of our uniformed youth groups.

“It was wonderful to see them all included in the parade, walking down the high street in the sunshine.”

Afterwards, she and others enjoyed a curry lunch at Buckley Barracks with 9 Regiment RLC in the Officers Mess before attending the 4pm Remembrance Service at St Pauls’ Church led by Julia Childerhouse.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan attended the national service at the Cenotaph in London, along with other Cabinet Ministers.

In Devizes, the Royal British Legion celebrated its 100-year anniversary with the first full remembrance parade the town has been able to host since 2019.

Services were also held in Corsham, Calne, Malmesbury, Marlborough and Royal Wootton Bassett.

King Charles 111 led the nation in honouring servicemen and women who died in past conflicts.

A national two-minute silence was held at 11:00 GMT, with similar ceremonies at war memorials across the country.

Big Ben chimed 11 times as the silence began, with 10,000 war veterans watching on.

King Charles then laid a wreath at London's Cenotaph - the first time he has done so as monarch, following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

Other royals, including the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal also laid wreaths, along with the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other senior politicians.