THIS Sunday is Remembrance Sunday and Bolton will once again fall silent as a sign of respect.

Parades and ceremonies will take place in Bolton town centre and around the borough as all those who have died in wars and conflicts are remembered.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr John Walsh, will lead representatives of the armed services in a ceremony in Victoria Square before laying wreaths at the town's war memorial.

In a new development this year, a special wreath laying will take place to commemorate all those who died in the Falklands War.

It will be presented by Argentinian war veteran Alejandro Vidlea who is visiting Bolton as a guest of Bolton Falklands veteran Les Standish.

On the eve of a weekend of Remembrance events, Royal British Legion members have appealed for more support to boost the sale of poppies in future years. Ken Moore, secretary of the RBL in Astley Bridge, said that this year many people had told him that they had found it difficult to find somewhere where poppies were being sold. He blamed the problem on a lack of volunteers.

He said: "It is sad but the older generation are dying off and younger people don't seem to be bothered. It is apathy, really."

Mr Moore has been on poppy duty for the past few weeks at the entrance to Sainsbury's on Flash Street. Poppies are available at all the major supermarkets and at Woolworths.

The Legion uses money raised from poppy sales to help ex-service people and their dependants affected by conflict-- mainly the two World Wars and more recently the Gulf War and Afghanistan.

The Legion estimates that it helps 15 million people in Britain, a quarter of the population.

For details of how to volunteer or make a donation visit www.poppy.org.uk or call 0845 77 25 725.

Where to meet for the parades:

BOLTON TOWN CENTRE - Ex-servicemen will begin to gather in Victoria Square at 10.30am.

The Mayor, Cllr John Walsh, will appear on the Town Hall steps at 10.50am for the service at 11am. The Mayor will lay a wreath at the memorial and maroons will be fired.

HORWICH

Assemble in Emmett Street at 11.15am. The parade will be followed by a service of remembrance at 12.15am in the gardens of remembrance, Lever Park Avenue.

WESTHOUGHTON

The parade will assemble at Greenfields Private Members Club, behind 68 Wigan Road, at 9.20am, departing for the Parish Church of St Bartholomew at 9.40am for the service at 10am.

This will be followed by a short service at the war memorial at 10.45am.

The parade will then march up Church Street, along Lord Street, The Avenue, Central Drive, Bolton Road and Market Street, returning to Greenfields Private Members Club.

BLACKROD

Assemble at the British Legion, Manchester Road, at 2pm. There will be a parade to the war memorial, on Manchester Road, at 2.15pm. The parade will then continue to St Catherine's Church for a service at 3pm.

FARNWORTH

The Farnworth branch of the British Legion will gather at Hawkers Club, Gladstone Road, at 10.30am for the parade to the war memorial in Farnworth Park.

All members of the public are invited to the parade and service, which will include a two-minute silence, as well as the family day back at the club in the afternoon.

As well as honouring those who serve in the armed forces, the branch provides support and financial help for servicemen and women and their dependents all year round.

Anyone interested can go to the Hawkers Club on Tuesdays from 8pm - 8.30pm in total confidence or contact Alan Wright on 417290.

ADLINGTON

A service will be held at St Paul's Church, off Railway Road, at 2.30pm. This will be followed by a parade to the nearby war memorial.

EGERTON

A service will be held at Christ Church, Walmsley, in Blackburn Road, Egerton, at 10am. Wreaths will then be laid at the war memorial in Dunscar.

BELMONT

A service will be held at St Peter's Parish Church, in Rivington Road, Belmont, at 3pm.

CHAPELTOWN

St Anne's Church, High Street, will hold a service followed by wreath laying from 10.45pm.

BURY

The procession will leave the Town Hall at 10.30am and head for the war memorial on Market Place. There will be a two-minute silence and wreath laying, followed by a service at Bury Parish Church.

RADCLIFFE

The parade will assemble at the Royal British Legion headquarters, Water Street, at 10.30am and the procession will set off shortly before 11am.

It will make its way to the war memorial for the wreath-laying ceremony and a minute's silence before continuing down Blackburn Street to St Thomas' Church for a service.

At 12.20pm the parade will make its way back to the British Legion where it will disperse.

ATHERTON

The parade will assemble at Formby Hall, Alder Street, at 10.30am and go directly to the war memorial at the junction of Leigh Road and Hamilton Street, via Market Street and Leigh Road. The return procession will be via Leigh Road, Mealhouse Lane, Bolton Road and High Street to Formby Hall.

LEIGH

People wanting to take part in the parade should meet at Marsh Gymnasium, Ullswater Street, at 10.15am and proceed at 10.30am via Railway Road, Market Street, Lord Street, Charles Street and Church Street to the memorial in Church Street Gardens.

After the service, the procession will return via Church Street, Vernon Street, Bradshawgate, Market Street, and St Mary's Way to the town hall square, where the salute will be taken.

TYLDESLEY

The procession will assemble on the Market Square at 10.20am, moving to the war memorial via Elliot Street at 10.35am.

HINDLEY

Meet at Cross Street at 10.30am for the parade which leaves for the war memorial at 10.45am.

LOWTON

A service will be held at St Mary's Church, Newton Road, at 10.30am preceded by an assembly in St St Mary's school yard at 10.20am.

GOLBORNE

Procession starts at 2.15pm from Legh Court car park for the service at the war memorial in Barn Lane at 2.30pm.