WIGAN'S Deputy Mayor Cllr John Hilton of Golborne led the tributes at Leigh war memorial but it was an especially sad day for some marchers. After a parade through town, the salute was taken on the town hall square because the Royal British Legion club -- from where procession normally disperses has -- closed.

Leigh's Royal British Legion Club in Windermere Road is going up for sale because of lack of support.

Members last week voted unanimously to close the club and branch chairman Joe Twist said before Sunday's parade: "It is a very sad day for us all but you can't run a ship without a crew.

"There was not much else we could do. If you can't get people into a club you can't make a profit and once you start losing money you go deeper into debt.

"We voted unanimously for closure. The branch still owns the club and a few people have shown interest in buying.

A good turnout at Tyldesley on Sunday followed the 11th hour, 11th day service which the local branch of the Royal British Legion arranged on Saturday on the Square.

At Atherton, Cllr Sue Loudon laid a wreath at the Leigh Road war memorial, then the procession made its way back to the Formby Hall.