THOUSANDS of people across the region remembered the nation's war dead on Sunday when they observed the Armistice Day silence.

The two-minute silence at 11am marked the moment the First World War ended, in 1918. However, men and women who have lost their lives in all conflicts, including recent deaths in Iraq, were also remembered.

Services were held in East Cleveland, including at Saltburn, where 200 people gathered round the cenotaph to lay wreaths with the parade being led by the granddaughter of a Teesside D-Day VC holder.

Staff Sgt Mandy Hart, of Saltburn's Army Cadet detachment, wore Company Sgt-Maj Stanley Hollis's medals, including the VC.

Sixteen wreaths were laid from groups ranging from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to the Women's Institute. In addition, 13 poppy crosses, including one remembering the 1991 Gulf War, were laid.

The Rev Guy Donegan-Cross, of Emmanuel Church, who led the service, spoke of the conflict in the Sudan's Darfur region and led prayers for world peace.