TOWNS and villages from north and east Wiltshire paid respects to the nation’s fallen soldiers on Sunday as Remembrance Day parades took place.

In Chippenham, parade-goers attended an hour-long St Andrew’s church service before filing out to the war memorial, on Market Place. At 11am, the whole town fell quiet as a minute silence was impeccably observed by everyone.

After the minute silence the parade took place through the High Street where groups associated with the British armed forces took their turns to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Michael Osborne is a veteran who attended the Chippenham parade. The 81-year-old said: “It was a good parade that was well-attended.

“It was really nice to see so many old boys there. Unfortunately the number of us is getting smaller and smaller. It was an emotional day overall really.”

Mr Osborne joined the army in 1956 where he was part of the Dorset regiment. He served in Germany, Cyprus, Malta and Gibraltar over a period of nine years.

In Royal Wootton Bassett, a parade took place through High Street and halted at the war memorial, where wreaths were laid.

A short service was given at the war memorial before the parade took off again down the High Street.

The Marlborough remembrance started on the high street and went to the wall memorial. The parade was joined by the guides, scouts and brownies and the phoenix brass band played The Last Post and Reveille .

Secretary of British Legion in Marlborough Steward Dobson said: "There was a really good turnout and it went well. The mayor went first and then I laid the second wreath and said the exaltation after.

"The HMS Marlborough ship bell rang at the service. The military intelligence were there with their commander to help collect money for the appeal.

In Pewsey, there was a parade with the beavers and scouts to St John the Baptist church where wreaths were laid. There was then a service at 10.45. The bells rang three times half muffled to honour the fallen.