A SPECIAL remembrance parade is being held in Widnes to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Schoolchildren will be joining forces with war veterans to march through Victoria Park at 10.30am on Saturday, September 8.

Widnes Royal British legion and Widnes Royal Artillery Association in have teamed up with Halton Council to organise the event ahead of the November's historic anniversary.

Pupils from nine schools across Widnes, Hale and Cronton will honour the 34 fallen service men and women named on the Cenotaph and memorial stones in Victoria Park.

Children will have made boards which they will carry in the parade and lay near the Cenotaph.

The Mercian Regiment, cadets, scouts and guides will join veterans.

Mike McNicholas, secretary of the Royal British Legion Ball O Ditton, said:"On the return to the bandstand we will open up the fun side of the event and it is a way of saying 'thank you' to all who kept the home fires burning.

"We have to remember that while the men where away fighting, life had to carry on and it fell onto the shoulders of the wives, mothers, sisters,sons and men working in the factories on important work to keep Britain strong."

Attractions in the park will include a funfair, an assault course, flight simulator, music, choirs, the police, fire brigade, ambulance, Widnes scooter Club, dancing and stalls from local charities.

Photographs and a time line of some of the men from Widnes who never came home will also be on display.

Admission will be free.