MORE than 1,000 people in Newport turned out in the winter sun to pay their respects to those who fought and died in conflict at today’s Remembrance Sunday events.

A service, led by the Bishop of Monmouth the Right Reverend Richard Pain, was held at the city war memorial on Clarence Place following a parade of around 500 people.

Those gathered at the memorial watched as veterans, together with members of Gwent’s emergency services, city dignitaries and youngsters from groups such as the Air and Sea cadets, Scouts and Brownies, marched from the city centre’s High Street.

City of Newport Pipes and Drums led the parade of around 500 people, which included a contingent from the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Severn, which is on a visit to its twin city Newport.

Standards were lowered to the sound of the Last Post, with the firing of Royal Artillery guns on Town Bridge prompting a two-minute silence.

Around 50 wreaths were then laid by representatives of the Newport Royal British Legion, Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and Merchant Navy.

They included 7-year-old Tegan Gotts-Black, laying a wreath in memory of her father Lance Corporal Richard Gotts, who died in September 2007.

The Islamic Society of Wales, Mayor of Newport Cliff Suller, city councillors, Newport AMs, the Lord Lieutenant for Gwent and the High Sheriff for Gwent also laid wreaths.

Wreaths were also laid by Newport East MP Jessica Morden and on behalf of Newport West MP Paul Flynn.

Following a rendition of God Save the Queen and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau the parade returned to High Street amid applause from the crowd.

Organisers said numbers taking part were up on last year. Regimental Sgt Major of the 104 Regiment Royal Artillery, Daniel Felton, acted as parade marshall at his last parade ahead of leaving the Army.

“What’s really good is that there are lots of veterans and lots of youngsters here, and that’s really important,” he said.