COUNCILLORS and a police chief have hit out in disgust after yobs disrupted a service to honour the dead of two world wars.

Chants including "Up the IRA" shocked old soldiers and town leaders who had gathered for the Armistice Day ceremony at Burnley's central war memorial yesterday.

The men shouted from the Magistrate's Court steps shortly before the start of the two minute silence.

Burnley police boss Chief Supt Mike Griffin, who was attending the service, spoke to the group and warning them they would be arrested if there was any repeat of the abuse.

Coun Andrew Holder said: "I congratulated Mr Griffin after he spoke to them because everyone was disgusted at their behaviour.

"We were trying to ignore the morons the best we could and I'm sorry the mayor had to listen to such garbage.

"It's childish behaviour and they should just grow up. Yes, we have got the right to protest but that was just moronic talk."

Coun Jack Alston said: "I was there with my wife and it was a disgrace."

"People like to have their freedom, but they have no right to do things like that.

"If they feel like that, they should go and live in another country," he added.

Mayor Coun Eddie Fisk also expressed his disapproval and congratulated Chief Inspector Griffin. Mr Griffin, who retires on Sunday said: "I thought I might be making my last arrest.

"It was disgraceful behaviour and tells you something about the mentality of the people who do it."

Flares, fired from the top of the police station, marked the beginning and end of the two minute silence before The Last Post was played by Towneley High School music teacher and William Fairey Band cornet player Brian Taylor.

A group of 20 children from Sunny Bank Preparatory School - the youngest only three years old - stood patiently in the cold looking at the hundreds of white wooden crosses arranged by members of the British Legion.

The mayor and mayoress Mrs Pat Chadwick joined a line of smartly dressed ex-service men, as well as local councillors and those remembering relatives and friends, as a wreath was laid at the cenotaph.

Coun Fisk said: "People respect this so much because it is something that they should never forget, a time to remember what happened in the past and the people that served in the World Wars, recent wars and those still going on.

"My special thanks has to go to the trumpeter and children from Sunny Bank."

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