A BRIDPORT schoolboy's poem was read out by the mayor at this year's Remembrance Sunday service in St Mary's Church.

The words of ten-year-old Ashley Walkey, a pupil at Bridport Primary School, were read by Coun David Tett as he led the prayers:

Think of those who died that day, When we would beg and hope and pray. They risked their lives for the English nation, To bring freedom for future generations. Listen to what I've got to say, About the importance of remembrance day. Wear your poppy nice and proud, Stop and think and shout out loud. I am really glad to say, Poppy day is here to stay!

Ashley wrote the poem as part of a poppy poster competition, which involved primary school children from all over West Dorset.

Coun Tett said he was very pleased by the numbers on parade, which was the biggest for some years.

"The support of councillors, veterans, representatives of the armed services and all the other voluntary organisations and bodies was a testament of feeling not only for those that had given their lives in the defence of the realm but also of those serving today in far off places in the cause of freedom," he said.

"The terrorist attack of September 11 was evidently still uppermost in everyone's mind, not least the young people."

Coun Tett inspected the parade in East Street, before it set off down South Street for the two minutes' silence and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial. Bridport's St Swithun's Band led the parade and its bandmaster, Rex Trevett, played the Last Post and Reveille.

The service, conducted by team rector the Rev Trevor Stubbs, then took place in the church.

At Beaminster, the day was marked with two minutes' silence in The Square in the morning and the parade in the afternoon.

Among those taking part was American Colonel Gerry Griffin of the 16th Infantry who thanked the people of Beaminster for the warm welcome they had given the Americans when they stayed in the town prior to D-Day and thanked the country again for giving America its support in its war on terrorism.

The Royal Naval Band from Yeovilton led the parade and every organisation on it laid a wreath, as did the WI.

Chairman of the RBL Tony Greenham read out the names of the dead from the war memorial and Michael Tolman played the Last Post and Reveille. Graham Hawkins played them in the Square in the morning.

Sir James Spicer spoke the exhortation at St Mary's Church and the Rev Ken Masters spoke of what the 83rd anniversary of the Armistice meant today.

He said: "The most important thing that we do with our remembrances, is to let them make a difference. To commit ourselves to the service of others. To work with all those of good will - of whatever religion, race, or culture - in order to preserve freedom, justice and democracy, and to protect all people from evil and inhumanity. So that one day, pray God, war and oppression may be no more.

"For in a strange and daunting way, God and all the people of the earth, depend upon our individual contribution and commitment. And that is why, above all, We will remember them and put our trust in God."