BELLS were rung solemnly at a special ceremony in Bolton in memory of the thousands of Merchant Navy men who lost their lives during the Second World War.

Former servicemen and members of the public gathered in Victoria Square for the annual Merchant Navy Day ceremony to honour the contributions made by seamen.

A two-minute silence was observed and wreaths were laid by the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor John Walsh, at the ceremony on Sunday which was organised by the Bolton and District Combined Services Association.

Kenneth Burgess, aged 76, secretary of the Farnworth Ex-Services Association, who was in the Merchant Navy, said: "We are honouring the fact that 30,000 merchant seamen lost their lives during the Second World War.

"They were the lifeline of this country. If there hadn't been a Merchant Navy, we would not have succeeded. It would not have mattered how strong the Army was."

Those who had lost their lives in the Suez and Falklands conflicts were also remembered.

Rev Debby Plummer said prayers and spoke of the role the Merchant Navy has played in the defence and development of the nation.

POLISHED: Fred Saunders and Donald Gabbott with the Bolton Sea Cadets bell that rang in the two-minute silence

SILENT: Ex-Merchant Navy members pay their respects