FOR the first time since 1990 Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day coincided this year but it wasn't only this that brought the biggest crowds for several years onto the streets of towns and villages.

With the events in New York 61 days before still fresh in most minds, young and old stood in silence remembering the thousands who took part in previous conflicts and thinking of the sacrifices that may be needed in the war against terror.

Among those laying wreaths this year in Andover were representatives of police and firefighters - two services which took such a battering on 11 September.

In London the tributes were led by the Queen while in Andover the Mayor of Test Valley Cllr Jack Taylor was among the first to lay a tribute at the War Memorial at St Mary's.

The parade formed up in the High Street led by Test Valley Brass and included a large number of veterans, the 22 Engineer Regiment from Perham Down and many children.

Between now and next November the regiment is due to spend six months peace keeping in the Balkans.

After making its way along Eastern Avenue the column of people snaked its way into the churchyard where the time-honoured remembrance ceremony, largely unaltered since the first one in 1920, took place.

In Tidworth, Britain's most military dependant community, the service took place in a different venue this year.

Anxious to secure enough room for all those who wanted to attend, the military authorities secured the main sports hall of the new leisure centre. The centre's car park was full to capacity and streets around were packed with parked vehicles.

Sunday's events were the culmination of a period of fundraising activity spearheaded by the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Organisers hope to exceed last year's record-breaking effort of £20 million.