A PARADE is being held on Sunday to commemorate the centenary of the First World War in Belgium.

Ball O Ditton Royal British Legion and Widnes Royal Artillery Association are marking 100 years since the battles of Messines, Passchendaele and Cambrai.

The parade will start at the bandstand in Victoria Park, Widnes, at 10.15am, led by the band of the Royal Air Force Cadets.

Various standards will be carried to the Cenotaph.

Veterans will march with air, Army and sea cadets, Scouts, Girl Guides and pupils from schools across the town.

The names of 104 men who lost their lives will be read out by schoolchildren.

Five more names will be added to a memorial stone of lost Widnes-born men.

A service starting at 10.30am will be led by Fr Matt Jolley, from St Wilfrid’s Catholic parish, and lay preacher Clare Liptrot.

The Irish Guards and Knights Choirs will accompany dignitaries and councillors.

After the last post a lament will be played on the bagpipes by Colin Hughes, chairman of the Southport Royal British Legion.