COURAGEOUS war heroes who sacrificed their lives for our freedom were honoured at poignant ceremonies on Sunday.

Thousands of people joined civic parades and Remembrance services at the cenotaph in Victoria Park, Widnes, and Greenway Road, in Runcorn.

The borough fell silent at 11am as two minutes’ silence was observed in supermarkets, streets, homes, and churches across Halton.

The crisp, dry weather attracted record crowds in Widnes on Sunday morning.

Veterans joined the Royal British Legion, army, air and sea cadets, brownies, guides and scouts, to pay their respects.

The Mayor of Halton, Clr Tom McInerney, Halton MP Derek Twigg, civic leaders and Halton councillors laid wreaths at the gated war memorial.

Pupils from SS Peter & Paul Catholic College placed a garland of poppies in memory of all the lives lost in conflict.

Remembrance assemblies had been held at their school all week and a sea of crosses laid in a garden of rememberance.

On Sunday afternoon, Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans joined the civic delegation for a solemn procession from St Michael’s Church in Greenway Road to the cenotaph.

It was the first time the newly-founded Runcorn Veterans Association took part in both ceremonies.

People bowed their heads as the Last Post echoed through the bare trees.

They listened as the folowing words were read out: ‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; ‘age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.’ Remembrance services were also held in Hale and Cronton.