VILLAGERS today paid poignant tribute to those from their community who served their country in the First World War.

The people of Neasham, near Darlington, remembered the 101 young people - men and women - who saw active service in The Great War.

Crosses were planted in recognition of the following who were awarded the 1914-1915 Gold Star:

Private John Edwin Forder; Private W. Kitchen; Corporal ER Richardson; Captain William Ernest Rogerson; Private R. Smith; Captain B. Surtees; Sapper Raymond Towers; Lieutenant B. Wilkinson (East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry); B. Wilkinson (West Yorkshire Regiment 9th Battalion (Service); Lieutenant WI Wrightson.

Crosses were also planted in memory of the following, who earned special awards for bravery, or outstanding service: Sapper N. Anderson; Driver R. Bowlby; Sergeant A Copsey; Captain CA Wrightson; Commander H. Wrightson.

The service, organised by Helen and Geoffrey Crute, was led by the Vicar of Hurworth, Neasham, Middleton St George and Girsby, The Rev. Adrian Thorp.

Wreaths were laid by John Weighell, chairman of Neasham Parish Council, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Peter Barron.

Lesley Blundell, chair of the Neasham Reading Room, read Wilfred Owen's poem Dulce et Decorum est, and Keith Sendick played The Last Post.

A Remembrance exhibition, including work by pupils at Hurworth Primary School, is being staged at Neasham Reading Room.