ON REMEMBRANCE Sunday, the people of Monmouthshire paid their respects to those who served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Across the county, a series of services and parades took place over the course of the day.

In Abergavenny, a parade formed on Cross Street outside the market hall at 10.30am.

Led by a brass band and military cadets bearing standards, the parade made its way along Frogmore Street, which was lined on both sides by members of the public.

At the town's war memorial, which was bathed in sunlight, the Revd. Canon Mark Soady led the remembrance service.

"Let us give thanks for the heroism and courage of those who served in the armed services," he said. "For those who worked on the home front in civil defence, hospitals, and relief industries. For those who worked during the wars in factories, shops, and farms.

"Let us pray for those who endured captivity, torture, or death."

Canon Soady read a poem about the significance of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, and ahead of the two minutes' silence, asked those in the crowd to commit themselves to promise never to forget the sacrifices of those who fought and died in the world wars, nor the reasons why they fought.

He said the forces Britain had fought to defeat were rearing their heads around the globe.

"As we gather here today, the forces of fascism are again in the world," he said. "Terrible stories are being told of people having to be protected for their faith, their beliefs, their colours, their background."

Following prayers, local leaders including the mayor of Abergavenny and the chairwoman of Monmouthshire County Council laid wreaths, as did representatives from the Royal British Legion, local army regiments, and community organisations.

Then, in Usk on Sunday afternoon, the town came to a standstill for the customary parade along the high street, led with aplomb by the Newport Steadfast Association Band. Marching behind them were former servicemen and members of local groups like the military cadets and the scouts.

They paraded through Twyn Square, where the clock had been decorated beautifully with a cascade of poppies made from plastic bottles, and entered the Priory Church of St Mary for a remembrance service.

And in Caldicot, a sunset service was held at the Cross. There, before a wreath-laying ceremony and hymns, the names were read out of those who had fallen -- in both world wars, and in the Gulf War.

Other services were held across the county, including those in Chepstow, Magor, and Monmouth.