WREATHS were laid in memory of Indian soldiers who were treated at Brighton's hospitals during the First World War.

Hundreds gathered as a ceremony was held at the India Gate of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton yesterday as the city remembered the soldiers who fought on the Western Front.

Ranjan Mathai, the Indian High Commissioner, attended the event alongside Councillor Brian Fitch, the mayor of Brighton and Hove, and Davinder Dhillion, chairman of the Chattri Memorial group.

Also in attendance of the grandson and great grandson of Subedar Manta Singh who died in a Brighton Hospital of wounds sustained in Northern France.

His great grandson, Kuljit Singh Sahota, is also now studying in Brighton.

During the First World War a number of buildings in the city, including the Royal Pavilion, The Dome and the Corn Exchange, were converted into military hospitals to care for Indian soldiers

The India Gate was a gift from India to commemorate soldiers tended in the Pavilion and was unveiled by the Maharaja of Patiala in October 1921.

Coun Fitch said: "The city played an important role as 'Dr Brighton' during World War One and thousands of Indian soldiers were brought here to recover by the sea.

"The wreath laying at the Royal Pavilion's India Gate is a fitting way to honour their memory and the contribution they made in the war, fighting so far away from home."