Young and old stood side by side to remember the war dead at wreath-laying ceremonies yesterday.

Hundreds of people wearing poppies attended ceremonies at the Bradford Cenotaph, Bingley, Keighley Ilkley and other towns and villages.

It was a particularly poignant Remembrance Sunday for the whole country as Britain celebrated the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day earlier this year.

But crowds in the district gathered under clear blue skies and sunshine to pay tribute to the brave men and women who served and died in the First and Second World War and subsequent conflicts.

War veterans, West Yorkshire Police, cadets and scouts accompanied by local brass bands paraded to City Hall to open the event.

Prayers were said and hymns were sung before the flag was lowered for a two-minute silence.

As the calls of the Army - the Last Post and Reveille - were sounded, wreaths were placed and members of the public dug crosses in the ground.

In Bradford the Vice-Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire John Brennan put down the first wreath, followed by the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Valerie Binney.

A tone of sacrifice was echoed during all services, with these words, said at the Bingley service, epitomising the mood: "When you go home, tell them of us and say that for your tomorrow we gave our today."

Among the masses in Bradford were former servicemen who shed tears for those they lost.

Former soldier Lawrense Grimshaw, 77, of Sticker Lane, Bradford, wore four medals for his bravery during wars in Egypt and Cyprus from 1950 to 1957.

He was honoured by the Queen after spending 24 years in the Territorial Army.

He said: "I've lost many friends over the years and this gives me a chance to remember them. It's about memories and thinking about your comrades.

"I feel sad because young people don't even recognise it or know what it's about."

Barry Wilson, 70, of Pool-in-Wharfedale, served 12 years in the Territorial Army, was called for national service and spent 18 months in Berlin guarding German war criminals.

He said: "We think of all the people before us and the supreme sacrifice they made for our freedom. This year is the same as ever - wars are wars."

At the Bingley service, Derek Murg-atroyd, deputy chairman of Bingley Royal British Legion, who served in the RAF on the master air crew during the Falklands War in 1982, said: "There is a good turnout this year. It brings back a lot of memories."

Keith Bowman, 75, of Bingley, who joined the national service, attends the service each year.

He said: "I hope this continues forever - this service is something special that should never die."

In London The Queen yesterday led the nation in remembrance as Britain paid tribute to its heroic war dead.

More than 8,000 veterans made the annual pilgrimage to honour their fallen comrades at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

Henry Allingham, 109, the country's oldest World War One veteran, took part in the commemoration.