HUNDREDS of service personnel and veterans are expected to attend the region’s largest annual Remembrance Parade.

Sunderland will come to a standstill on Sunday as the city pays its respects to the fallen.

The parade will be led by The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals and the Bearpark and Esh Colliery Band and will include The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, 21 Engineer Regiment, The Light Dragoons, 5 Armoured Medical Regiment, RAF Boulmer, 3 Rifles and HMS Calliope.

Two field guns which will be fired from the terrace in Mowbray Park to signal the start of the two-minute silence at 11am.

Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Doris MacKnight said: "Remembrance Sunday is an important opportunity for the whole city to come together to pay tribute to those who fought in conflicts past and present and the many who gave up their lives for their country.

"It is equally important that we use this occasion to honour the servicemen and women of today and let them know how much we value what they do and appreciate the sacrifices they make on our behalf.

"The sad loss of those young men from this city who have lost their lives in recent conflicts will be especially close to our hearts as we remember all those who have paid the ultimate price."

Veteran George Waller who served in the RAF in Second World War will recite the first four verses of the famous war poem For the Fallen before the two-minute silence.

He will be followed by veteran Len Gibson, a member of 125 Anti Tank Regiment Royal Artillery, a prisoner of war on the notorious Death Railway in Burma, who will recite the Far Eastern Prisoner of War Prayer before the wreath laying.

The parade will end in a march past of veterans and serving members of Her Majesty's Forces.

The salute will be taken by Brigadier Oliver Stokes MBE, Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Major Eric Ingram MBE, DL and the Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Doris MacKnight from the steps of the Museum in Borough Road.