AS the clock struck 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, Dartmouth fell silent – marking the 96th anniversary of the signing of the armistice which ended the First World War.

A large crowd gathered on Tuesday at the war memorial in Royal Avenue Gardens to pay their respects to the fallen.

A two-minutes' silence was observed in a short service conducted by Fr Nick Debney and William Davis from the Dartmouth Sea Cadets.

This year's remembrance events took on added significance as it is the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Added poignancy was brought to the occasion by a live Radio Five link up coming from the Tower of London, where a display of ceramic poppies have filled the moat.

Among those attending, along with Royal British Legion representatives and veterans, were the mayor of Dartmouth Cllr Rob Lyon and Captain Henry Duffy, Commanding officer of the Britannia Royal Naval College.

Members of the Dart­mouth Royal Naval Assoc­iation also paid their own tribute to servicemen lost by laying a wreath at their own memorial in the gardens.

Afterwards, Legion secretary Bobbie Small thanked everybody who had supported this year's Poppy Appeal, particularly the large numbers of uniformed youth who had been involved.

A concert by the BRNC volunteer band had raised more than £930, she said.

'We are grateful to everyone for their continued support,' she said.

Heavy showers earlier on Tuesday morning moved off for the service.

'The heavy rain held off. Our prayers were answ­ered,' added Bobbie.

l People can recycle their paper poppies at Sains­bury's in Dartmouth until Monday, November 24.

They will be sent to the Royal British Legion where they will be re-used or recycled.

A poppy recycling box will be available at the customer service desk.

Store manager Sarah Collins said: 'The Poppy Appeal was a great success this year for fundraising and we'd like to thank everyone who contributed. With this recycling initiative, we wanted to show our customers another way they can support the Royal British Legion to ensure their poppies don't go to waste.'