Thousands line streets of Sunderland to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday

The annual Remembrance Day parade and service, was held at the war memorial on Burdon Road, Sunderland, and saw hundreds of service personnel and veterans join the Mayor of Sunderland, Coun Alan Emerson, and crowds of thousands to pay their respects.

The ceremony - thought to be the biggest outside London - began with a parade led by The Royal Signals (Northern) Band and the Bearpark and Esh Colliery Band.

Other army units included The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery - Sunderland's adopted regiment - along with 3 Rifles, 21 Engineer Regiment, The Light Dragoons, 5 Armoured Medical Regiment, RAF Boulmer and The Household Cavalry.

The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, which exercised its freedom of the city in July, provided the largest contingent in the parade this year which was co-ordinated by Regimental Sergeant Major WOI Sean Armstrong.Soldiers from the Household Cavalry, with their distinctive breast plates and helmets, formed the honour guard at the War Memorial during the service.

Veteran George Waller, who served in the RAF in World War II, recited the first four verses of the famous war poem 'For the Fallen' before the two minute silence was observedHe was followed by veteran Len Gibson, a member of 125 Anti Tank Regiment Royal Artillery - who was a prisoner of war on the notorious ‘Death Railway’ in Burma, - who read out the Far Eastern Prisoner of War Prayer.

Field guns from Royal Artillery marked the start of the silence and further rounds were fired to mark its end.Councillor Alan Emerson, said: "Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity for the whole city to come together to pay tribute to those who fought in conflicts past and present and the many who gave up their lives for their country. "It is particularly poignant this year that we celebrate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in which my grandfather served and was one of thousands missing in action from day one of the battle. "It is equally important that we use this occasion to honour the servicemen and women of today and let them know how much we value what they do and appreciate the sacrifices they make on our behalf. "The sad loss of those young men from this city who have lost their lives in recent conflicts will be especially close to our hearts as we remember all those who have paid the ultimate price." Wreaths were then laid on the war memorial before service men and woman and community groups were applauded as they marched through the city streets.

The salute was taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Colonel Ann Clouston; Lt Col Rob Alston and Councillor Emerson from the steps of the Museum in Borough Road.