SILENCE fell on Victoria Square as ex-servicemen and women and the public gathered in Bolton to commemorate the 61st anniversary of VJ Day.

With standard bearers in position, the Vicar of Bolton, Canon Michael Williams, led the opening prayers yesterday, asking people to turn their thoughts to the troubles in the Middle East.

As the final strains of the Last Post were heard in the damp air, the crowd of more than 200 observed a two-minute silence in memory of the servicemen who lost their lives in the Far East during the Second World War.

The Mayor and the veterans vowed that the day would always be remembered.

VJ Day marks the moment on August 15, 1945, when Japan surrendered after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Walter Hall, laid the first wreath, followed by a representative from the veterans. The ceremony was marred slightly by a malfunctioning public address system, which meant many in the crowd had difficulty following the service.

But the veterans valiantly led the singing of the National Anthem, unaccompanied.

Speaking after the service, Cllr Hall said: "People still remember. I am pleased so many people turned out, especially with the wet weather.

"It is a pity the sound system was not working but that was out of our control. We will carry on holding these services for as long as we can."Ellis Bailey, secretary of Bolton and District Combined Ex-Servicemen and Women Association: "Not all towns mark this day, so I think it says a lot about Bolton that we do. We have always said that while we exist, we will commemorate VJ Day every year."

Martin Greenshaw, aged 15, from Horwich, said: "My great-grandfather fought in the Second World War.

"He died last year but he used to tell me stories about the things that had happened to him. I didn't come into town especially for the service, but when I realised what was going on, I stayed."