THOSE who have given their lives for their country were remembered in Newport on Saturday at a Royal British Legion awareness day.

Veterans started the fun day with a march from The Tom Toya Lewis pub on Commercial Street to the city's John Frost Square.

Led by the Royal British Legion Riders on bikes, members from associations including the Merchant Navy, the Royal British Legion Newport Branch and the Newport Branch Comrades Association were joined by city mayor Cllr Cliff Suller, and his wife, mayoress Christine Suller.

Shoppers lined the streets to greet the 25 or so paraders before following them to the square accompanied by music from the Newport's Steadfast Band. Once there standard bearers lowered their standards to the sound of the Last Post.

Cllr Suller greeted around 100 people who turned out for the event and urged them to get involved with the charity to help them continue their "sterling" work.

Referring to those on parade he said: "These fine gentlemen have given us the most valuable thing we can have in our lives - that is our freedom."

The Dean of Monmouth and Newport Cathedral, Father Lister Tonge, led a minute silence to pay respects to those who given their lives for their country and in tribute to all those still involved in conflicts abroad.

He also asked the crowd to think of Drummer Lee Rigby who died in the street in Woolwich last month.

Lysla Newman, 70, was there with her grandson Tomos Newman, three, to see her husband Roy Newman, of the Royal Welsh Comrades, parade.

She said: "We wanted to come down and give them support and bring my grandson to see it."

Her husband said: "It's very important that people come and show their support so people don't forget."

Ailsa Burridge, Year 2 teacher at Rougemont School, brought pupils Owain Stephens and Lewis Evans, both seven, to join the parade.

The youngsters have been learning about the charity's work whilst studying remembrance and have since forged links with the Newport branch.

Later in the day shoppers enjoyed a vintage fashion show organised by Valerie Howen and got to meet dogs from Newport Urban Mushers, while children enjoyed finding their way around an inflatable maze.

There were also performances from musicians from the charity Life Music Foundation.

A VIGIL due to take place in Newport on Saturday in memory of Drummer Rigby was postponed due to bad weather.

Organiser Mubarak Ali, secretary of the Islamic Society Wales, said high winds and rain were causing problems with sound equipment and a canopy they planned to put up.

The memorial service, due to be held at 6pm at the city's Westgate Sqaure, will be rearranged for a date yet to be decided, he said.

The event was organised by Mr Ali and David Phillips, from the South East Wales Racial Equality Council as a mark of respect to the soldier.

It was also to raise money for forces charity Help for Heroes – supported by Drummer Rigby who was wearing one of the charity’s T-shirts when he died.

Mr Ali said the event would oppose extremism in all its forms and would remember all victims of war and violent crime.

He said the vast majority of Muslims in Britain strongly condemned such acts of terrorism and the vigil was a chance for members of the community to stand united regardless of religion, race, or political beliefs to show support to the Britain’s armed forces.