IN a moving ceremony, former servicemen and women marked the end of an era yesterday.

Past members of Barnard Castle's Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) and Royal British Legion branches took part in the laying-up of their standards in St Mary's Church in the town.

With both branches forced to close because of dwindling numbers, it was left to a small band of dedicated survivors to perform a final ritual which will see the standards left hanging in St Mary's.

Former RAFA standard bearer Ian Martin paraded for the last time, with escorts Renee Adamson and Ken Stannard, at the service conducted by the Reverend Alec Harding.

Mr Martin's wife, Joan, branch secretary when it closed in November 1998, said: "It was quite a moving and sad occasion."

She added: "We have waited for years for it to happen because we originally wanted the standard to stay in Startforth church.

"That was where it was originally dedicated and we held our Battle of Britain services there. It has lain in a cupboard in York until we got permission from St Mary's.

"We pushed to get it laid up while people were still with us. It was a big day for us."