EVERY year, 84-year-old Harry Mainwaring wakes up early to iron his uniform and polish his medals as he thinks about the four-and-a-half years he spent repairing aircrafts aboard carrier HMS Victorious during the Second World War.

But as he prepared for Sunday's Remembrance Day parade, Harry was filled with sadness, not just for his fallen comrades, but for fellow members of the Ramsbottom Royal Naval Association (RNA).

After almost 20 years, age has started to get the better of Harry and the seven other veterans who make up the Ramsbottom branch of the RNA.

They have decided to disband the association at the end of the year, and the parade and service were the last in which the group would officially play a part.

Harry said: "I have been going to Remembrance Day services for more than 20 years, and I'm very sad that the RNA has to split up. I would have liked to carry on with the group, because we raised lots of money for charities and I liked the comradeship. I'm sure I'll still see all the members, and I'll attend future remembrance services, but it's a very emotional day."

On Sunday, Harry and his fellow members took part in Ramsbottom's parade and service as it left the British Legion on Central Street at 10.52am and walked along Markland Street, Bolton Street and Bridge Street towards the war memorial outside St Paul's CE Church.

They were joined by hundreds of people, old and young, including air, sea and army cadets, beavers and cubs, servicemen and ex-servicemen, and members of the public.

Also on parade were former Mayor of Bury and a member of the RNA, 89-year-old Albert Little, and mayoral representative, North Manor councillor Dorothy Gunther.

The oldest in the parade were 93-year-old George Crossthwaite and 95-year-old Charles Pearson, members of the British Legion.

The streets of Ramsbottom were lined with people watching the parade on a dry but cold day, as the parade reached the memorial in time for the Last Post.

The standards were lowered as the music played, before a two-minute silence was observed by the crowd.

Wreaths of poppies were then laid at the memorial by members of the various Ramsbottom associations, including Harry and secretary of the RNA, Barbara Davenport.

Hundreds of people then entered St Paul's, with standing room only at the back of the church.

In his sermon, Reader Gideon Smith, of St Andrew's Church, Ramsbottom, spoke of the blessings in St Matthew's Gospel, especially those for people in mourning.

He said: "People say that time may heal, but it is vital to remember those who have died, especially those who have died during war.

"The sermon on the mount and the gospel is good news. It shows that there is hope, and that we can always turn to God because he will listen."

While remembering those who died 60 years ago during World War Two, prayers were also said for people currently involved in conflicts across the world, in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Far East, and Africa.

The service ended with the National Anthem and the Lord's Prayer, and the parade re-formed to march back to the British Legion.

The men and woman risking their lives in Iraq and conflicts across the world were also in the thoughts of many who attended Tottington's Remembrance Day service and parade in the afternoon.

Hundreds of people turned out to show their support and appreciation for the country's armed services, and the parade included all age groups, from proud veterans of World War Two and school children learning about the ex-servicemen's experiences.

The pavements on Harwood Road and Market Street were full of people, watching as the parade - led by Tottington Public Band - headed through the village towards Tottington's war memorial.

When the parade arrived, the crowd listened to a reading from St John's Gospel and then the minister's address.

In his sermon, the Reverend Hugh Bearn, of St Anne's Church, Tottington, said that there had only been one year - 1968 - in the last 105 years, when a British serviceman has not been killed in combat.

He said: "When we think about that statistic, we realise very clearly that 'Remembrance' is not an event of the past. We do remember the Great War, the Second World War, and those who are here today to represent their various services, but we also remember men and women who have been killed in service this year."

The Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor Steve Treadgold and Mrs Jean Treadgold, took part in the parade, and the Mayor placed the first wreath at the memorial.

This was followed by wreaths placed by representatives from many Tottington organisations, including the British Legion, St John's Ambulance, Army Cadets, and children from each local school.

Tottington Public Band played the Last Post to signal the beginning of two minutes of silence, and later played the National Anthem while the crowd sang.

Following the Remembrance Day service, the parade and members of the public headed to St Anne's church hall for rum rations and refreshments.