THOUSANDS of people across the region remembered the nation's war dead yesterday when they observed the Armistice Day silence.

The two-minute silence at 11am marked the moment the First World War ended, in 1918.

However, men and women who have lost their lives in all conflicts, including recent deaths in Iraq, were remembered throughout the region.

Market Place, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was lined with people paying tribute to servicemen and women who gave their lives.

After prayers, wreaths were laid beside the war memorial by representatives from service and community groups.

The service of remembrance and recognition was followed by worship in St Anne's Church, in the town centre.

In Darlington, crowds gathered for a service and wreath-laying ceremony at Holy Trinity Church, in Vane Terrace.

After the service, the 50th (Northumbrian) Signal Squadron (Volunteers) led the parade to the cenotaph to the sound of brass band music.

A short service of remembrance was held at the war memorial on Sedgefield village green, in County Durham, where the town's Mayor Councillor Jim Wayman led the wreath-laying.

The Last Post and Reveille were sounded by retired local hairdresser Eric Richards, who has been performing the ceremony for many years in the village and surrounding area. Also in attendance was Aycliffe Pipe Band.

The Reverend Adele Kelman, of Bishop Middleham, conducted an ecumenical Service of Remembrance in Sedgefield St Edmund's Parish Church before the wreath-laying.

Similar services were held in villages across County Durham, including West Cornforth and Cockfield.

The commemoration in Sunderland, one of the biggest parades outside London, was led by the Band and Bugles of the Light Division.

The event attracted hundreds of veterans of the Second World War, Korea and Gulf conflicts and, for the first time, a contingent of Suez veterans.

The parade, marshalled by WO2 Dave Hannan, of the Coldstream Guards, also included a strong representation from the Royal Navy, with crew members of HMS Ocean and HMS Calliope joining in.

The marchers set off from the civic centre to Mowbray Park, where wreaths were laid.

Arthur Lockyear, of the organising committee, said: "There were more members of the public attending than before, and they gave the marchers a tremendous reception."

Durham Cathedral was filled to capacity by hundreds of people for a service, followed by a wreath-laying at the west end of the nave, at the DLI Chapel, the 607 Squadron memorial and DLI Memorial Garden.

Burma Band ex-servicemen, led by the Burma Band and joined by member of the Tyne Tees Regiment, marched from Palace Green to the Market Place, where the salute was taken.

Across North Yorkshire, veterans, servicemen and women and thousands of others remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

At churches large and small they gathered, all proudly wearing their poppies.

In York, hundreds took part in a parade through the city, led by the Queen's Division Normandy Band.

They included men from HMS York, airmen from RAF Linton-on-Ouse and soldiers from 2 Signal Regiment, as well as Scouts, St John Ambulance and Red Cross volunteers, and veterans.

The Last Post was played, wreaths were laid at the war memorial and a service was held at York Minster.

Similar scenes took place across the county, including at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Stonefall, Harrogate.