AS THE CLOCK struck 11am, the town of Romsey fell silent to remember the valiant soldiers who lost their lives for the country.

More than 100 men, women, children and veterans stood silently with heads bowed during a Remembrance Service led by the mayors of Romsey and Test Valley and MP Sandra Gidley at Romsey Memorial Park.

A representative from the Romsey branch of the Royal British Legion laid a single wreath to remember the town's fallen heroes following a short blast from a cannon by members of the Fort Cumberland Guard from the Royal Marine Museum in Eastleigh.

Romsey MP Sandra Gidley stood side by side with Cllr Mike Richardson, the mayor of Romsey town and Cllr James Neal, the mayor of Test Valley, as the service was being conducted by the vicar of Romsey Abbey, the Canon Neil Crawford-Jones.

This was followed by the reading by John Randall, chair of the Romsey branch of the Royal British Legion.

Mrs Gidley said: "I think being the daughter of a soldier, it's always been important to attend a service such as this and I am glad there is a presence here in Romsey.

"I think it is important to have a service such as this because although Remembrance services are about those who lost their lives in battle during the first and second world wars we still have a number of people who are serving our country and risking their lives for the country."

The short remembrance service on Saturday preceded the main service which took place on Sunday at Romsey Abbey.