EAST Lancashire fell silent for the county's war dead at services across the area.

A record number of people flocked to Blackburn's Corporation Park.

Canon David Galilee, who conducted the service at the cenotaph after the full service at Blackburn Cathedral said he believed this was due to the events of September 11.

He said: "The service at the Cathedral was very well attended with more than 500 people then at least another 500 were assembled in Corporation Park.

"I think that this year's services were overshadowed by the events on September 11."

Organisations joined the procession from the cathedral to the Garden of Remembrance where wreaths were laid at the cenotaph.

Gun shots rang out to mark the beginning and end of the national two minutes silence.

In Hyndburn more than 150 people joined the official parade from Crawshaw Street to St James Church, Accrington, for a 9.30am service.

Afterwards a parade marched to the Royal British Legion's portable memorial outside Accrington town hall where 17 organisations lay wreaths before a short service conducted by the Rev David Lyon.

Sunday shoppers also left the stores to join the crowd by the portable memorial. It was set up three years ago to make it more accessible for people who find it difficult to climb the steep hill to the Cenotaph in Oakhill Park.

But an additional service was held at the Cenotaph and a coach was arranged to transport those who wanted to attend.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, who attended the town centre service, said: "There has been a good turn out but it is a shame that there is a split.

"I am here because it is the Royal British Legion's event but I understand why the RAF and others want to go to the cenotaph as it is beautiful and one of the largest in the country." In Altham, a service took place at St James' Church followed by an act of remembrance at the War Memorial.

In Church, a parade wound its way from Bank Street to Gatty Park for a service and wreath laying.

In Clayton-le-Moors, a procession led from the Civic Hall to All Saints' Church for a service before proceeding to the memorial in Mercer Park.

In Great Harwood, a parade led from Town Gate to St Bartholomew's Church for a service before marching to Memorial Park for wreath laying.

In Rishton, a parade travelled from Holt Street to St Peter and St Paul's Church, followed by a parade to the memorial.

In Oswaldtwistle, a parade led from Thwaites Street to the memorial for a combined service and wreath laying. In Huncoat, a parade marched from the White Lion to the memorial for a wreath laying ceremony.

In Darwen, a service took place at St Peter's Church followed by a service at the War Memorial in Bold Venture Park.

A bus was arranged for those who could not walk the distance. A short service was also held outside Darwen Town Hall followed by wreath laying at the Boer War Memorial, Belgrave Square, on Saturday.

In Hoddlesden, a service was held at St Paul's Church before wreath laying at the memorial.

The towns and villages of the Ribble Valley all held acts of remembrance, with each community remembering its fallen heroes from the conflicts which have engulfed the world in the last century.