CROWDS swarmed Pontypool town to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Thousands of people - both old and young - stood with their heads bowed during a moving remembrance ceremony at the War Memorial Park Gates at 12pm today. 

A short service and wreaths were laid by the Pontypool branch of Comrades of the Great War, South Wales Fire and Rescue, Pontypool Scouts and other local organisations and individuals.

Also present at the ceremony was Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle, MP Nick Thomas-Symonds, the leader of Torfaen County Borough Council leader Anthony Hunt and the chairman of Pontypool Community Council Matthew Ford - who also laid wreaths.

Speaking after the event, Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “This year’s Remembrance Service had a particular poignancy with it being 100 years since the Armistice of 1918.

"The community was in attendance in great numbers, with people paying their respects to those who gave their lives for all we have today.

"Seeing people of all different ages attending the service and in the Parade gives great optimism that our Acts Of Remembrance will continue in the future, and that the sacrifice of previous generations will never be forgotten.”

The service was conducted by the Reverend Rufus Noy, Rector for the Upper Torfaen Benefice who was assisted by the Reverend Alvan Richards-Clarke, of the Crane Street Church Local Ecumenical Partnership.

The event began with a parade led by the TS Kittiwake Corps of Drums outside the shops in Commercial Street to the gates. 

Ada Davies, 77, was at the ceremony with her husband John. She said it was "moving to see so many people turn up" to the event. 

"John and I come to the parade and ceremony each year," she said.

"This year is obviously more special and more important as it is the centenary. It was wonderful to see so many people here and when it was the two-minute silence you couldn't hear a thing, it was so moving."

Kate Jackson's daughter Freya, 7, was part of the parade with Pontypool Brownies.

Mrs Jackson said: "I am extremely proud of my daughter Freya for representing Pontypool Brownies in the parade today.

"Children should know what our service men and women did for our country. Wearing a poppy and remembering those who fell is the least we can do."