COUNCIL workers have been urged to observe the two-minute silence on Armistice Day this Saturday.

Hartlepool Mayor Frank Rogers is calling on people to respect the two-minute silence, which was reinstated in 1995, following a campaign by the Royal British Legion.

It is believed that 73 per cent of people in the region observed the silence last year, compared to 57 per cent in 1995.

Coun Rogers said: "In previous years, people working in council buildings have acknowledged the two-minute silence.

This year, it falls on Saturday, and buildings will be closed. Nevertheless, I would urge everyone to still honour the silence, wherever they are."

The two-minute silence is held to remember all those who have lost their life in conflict, and this year, the legion is hoping to create a world-wide silence.

Legion spokesman John Champ said: "The legion believes that observance of the silence at 11am each November 11 is now firmly re-established throughout the nation.

"We believe that even more people will take part this year, a year in which we hope families will participate strongly together.

"We are inviting the Commonwealth to join the UK again this year and create a wave of silence around the world."