Silence fell across Oxfordshire yesterday, as people stood to remember those who lost their lives in war.

Thousands of people around the county packed churches and gathered around war memorials to lay wreathes and pay their respects to those who died in the two world wars and other conflicts.

Among those marking the sombre occasion were ex-servicemen and women, supporters of the Royal British Legion, Scouts and Guides, army and air cadets, Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

At 11am, people stood for the two-minute silence, heralded by The Last Post.

The largest ceremony took place in St Giles, Oxford, where crowds applauded a procession of ex-servicemen.

Several hundred people braved rain to watch the ceremony at Abingdon.

The service in St Helen's church, was followed by a procession to the War Memorial in The Square.

A representative of the Abingdon branch of the Royal British Legion gave the exhortation at 10.55 followed by a bugler sounding The Last Post.

After the wreath-laying, the National Anthem was played by Abingdon Band followed by a blessing from the Rev Michael Goode, vicar of St Helen's.

The ceremony, attended by soldiers from Dalton Barracks, was followed by a march-past outside the old County Hall in the Market Place.

Among those taking part were members of the Royal British Legion, Dalton Barracks, veterans' associations, cadets' groups, St John Ambulance, Red Cross, Scouts, Guides and Brownies.

At a reception in the Guildhall, the mayor of Abingdon Audrey Tamplin praised servicemen and women who had given so much in conflicts to ensure today's freedom.

She also paid tribute to the skills of the present day armed forces and the "unsung" heroes of the Royal British Legion who gave valuable emotional and practical support to former service personnel and their families.