REMEMBRANCE parades were held across Torfaen today.

Hundreds lined the streets of Pontypool to pay respect to the fallen.

A parade led by Regimental Sargeant Major Neil Edmunds assembled at Commercial Street at midday, before parading to the war memorial opposite the civic centre for a service of remembrance.

Among those in attendance were former and current servicemen and women and representatives of various regiments, along with Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds, his Assembly counterpart Lynne Neagle, head of Torfaen County Borough Council Cllr Anthony Hunt and mayor Cllr Jessica Powell.

Speaking after the event Mr Thomas-Symonds said he had been to a number of Remembrance events throughout the week.

"Every year's remembrance events are very important, but this year has a particular poignancy because they mark 100 years since the First World War," he said.

"And this year is the centenary of the third Battle of Ypres at Passchendaele, where many men from this valley served.

"What I've seen across this borough is a wonderfully moving set of remembrance services. Each and every one of them has been well supported by the local people, it's been absolutely wonderful."

The service was led by Rev Rufus Noy of the Upper Torfaen Benefice, alongside Rev Alvan Richards-Clarke of the Crane Street Church Local Ecumenical Partnership, who spoke in Welsh. The bugler Last Post was Gareth Vaughan of Pontypool Brass Band.

In Blaenavon around 200 people turned up to the Remembrance Parade and Service.

The parade was led by the Blaenavon town band and saw members of the public, councillors, servicemen and ex-serviceman lay wreaths at the town's cenotaph.

Lucinda Gough, of Blaenavon, attended the event with her family.

Ms Gough said: "The atmosphere was sombre but community spirited people from Blaenavon lined the streets from the start of the parade right down the way down to the cenotaph.

"More than 20 wreaths were laid from all organisations and community groups in Blaenavon.

"The weather stayed dry for the march down through the town but we had hail, sleet, snow and rain for the last post and service itself.

"The service yesterday followed a fantastic remembrance concert on Saturday night in the Workman’s Hall."

Other services which took place across the area included Cwmbran, where a parade assembled at Clomendy Road at 10.10am before moving off at 10.25am via Commercial Street and Victoria Street to the war memorial clock for prayers.

The parade then moved via Oldbury Road and Henllys Way to Cocker Avenue Park for a service and wreath laying ceremony and a two-minute silence before finishing at St Gabriel’s Church.

Services were also held in New Inn and Pontnewydd among others.