A SERVICE of commemoration is being held at The Cenotaph in Victoria Park, Widnes, to mark the centenary of the First World War.

War veterans will join the Mayor of Halton, Clr Shaun Osborne, civic dignitaries, church leaders and The Irish Guards choir at 10.45am on Monday, August 4.

Residents are invited to attend the service which has been organised by Co-operative Funeralcare, the Royal British Legion, the Royal Artillery Association and Halton Council.

During the service young people will place candles on the cenotaph to remember the lives given for our freedom.

They will recite the words of Sir Edward Grey, foreign secretary in 1914, as they say: “The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”

Sandra Kerr, from The Co-operative Funeralcare in Widnes, said: “Days of significance, such as when Britain entered one of the costliest conflicts in history, the First World War, are times when people reflect and look back and remember those they’ve lost.

“This service of commemoration will enable people to remember the servicemen and women who took part in the first World War, and gave the ultimate sacrifice, and we hope it will provide some comfort to all those that attend, but especially the veterans’ families.”