A MOVING Remembrance service capped a packed programme of events as Witney marked the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Thousands of people from all walks of life lined the High Street and flooded onto Church Green to pay their respects.

They were flanked by the town's poppy mile, an incredible tribute featuring 30,000 poppies running from Witney Corn Exchange, along Church Green and down to The Leys.

2D silhouettes of soldiers also lined the route, each one decorated with photos of local schoolchildren's ancestors who fought for their country.

Several events took place across the weekend, with the town coming together to honour the fallen without fail.

Town councillor Chris Holliday, who was chairman of the council's First World War working party, had spent the last two years working towards the weekend and hailed residents' enthusiasm.

He said: "We knew that Witney being the principle town in West Oxfordshire meant we had to do it right.

"It's quite phenomenal how much goes on behind the scenes.

"We've got this massive community where everyone's proud of their town.

"We did our fallen a great service.

"We're proud to be Witney."

Witney residents first saw the Remembrance events taking shape when workers hung a cascade of poppies on the front of the Corn Exchange on November 2.

The building was the scene for much of the planning ahead of the weekend, with Mr Holliday revealing meetings were moved there from the council chamber because so many people wanted to attend.

This spirit of togetherness was showcased in the poppy mile, which represents the route taken by soldiers from the town centre to the now-demolished Witney railway station.

Contributions came in from as far afield as Canada and Australia, while some residents closer to home spent several days adding to the artwork.

On the eve of the 100th anniversary, mosaics made by pupils in the Witney Schools Partnership with mosaicist Becky Paton were on display in the Corn Exchange.

The display featured First World War memorabilia and re-imaged photos from the Great War era, while an Armistice Centenary dinner took over the space on Saturday evening.

Yesterday morning, Mr Holliday was among several Witney Town Council and West Oxfordshire District Council staff preparing the town centre for the day's events.

Before the Remembrance service, RAF Brize Norton, based near Carterton, exercised its Freedom of Witney by marching through the town, before making way for the traditional service.

Mr Holliday estimated more than 2,000 were in the town centre as attention turned to the war memorial on Church Green.

Mr Holliday said: "We knew it would be popular but we didn't think it would be quite that big.

"I've never seen so many people on Church Green and down the High Street."

Members of several groups and organisations laid wreaths at the memorial, from West Oxfordshire District Council to Wood Green School.

Witney MP Robert Courts also paid his respects, while local branches of the army and air cadets were well-represented.

Among those in attendance was squadron leader Alan Scott, 97, a former spitfire pilot, who joined the crowds that packed into the second service at St Mary's Church.

Alongside RAF Brize Norton station commander, group captain Dan James, Mr Scott left his wheelchair and walked the last few steps to the front of the church.

Mr Holliday said: "He was absolutely determined to walk.

"To be on the arm of the group captain of RAF Brize Norton and sat at the front of the church must have made his day."

The celebrations continued into yesterday afternoon, with children catered for thanks to a First World War-themed playday on The Leys.

The event, run by Oxfordshire Play Association, featured a range of activities including go karts, fireplay zorbing and boulder walls.

A Centenary War Memorial was unveiled on The Leys, before the town joined hundreds of others across the country to light its Beacons of Light Bonfire at 6.55pm.

Just after 7pm, St Mary's joined 1,000 cathedrals and churches across the nation to ring their bells in celebration of peace.