THE city came together at the weekend to remember its war dead on Armed Forces Day.

Veterans, councillors, cadets and members of the public congregated around the war memorial in Old Steine Gardens in Brighton on Saturday.

It came as events were held across the country to support the armed forces community.

During the service the mayor of Brighton and Hove Mo Marsh addressed the crowd and prayers were read before silence fell as flags were lowered by veterans to the sombre call of The Last Post.

Councillor Marsh said: “It is a time for reflection, thanks and remembrance and also an opportunity to consider the sacrifices made for our safety and well-being.

“Armed Forces Day allows us, the public, to show our support and appreciation and in doing so to recognise and respect their past endeavours to protect us and our rights from those who would seek to oppress or injure.

“Their bravery, diligence and selflessness is a lesson to us all and I stand in humility to the gratitude of our city.”

Watching was veteran Paul Buss, 63, from Whitehawk, who served in Northern Ireland in the Seventies.

He said: “I joined up as a boy and the comradeship has lasted for the whole of my life.

“It is a community and it’s important to acknowledge the service of people in the past as well as the service given by troops today.”

Also taking part in the service were young cadets from the 225 (Brighton No1) Squadron Air Training Corp based at Preston Barracks in Lewes Road, Brighton.

The act of remembrance was organised by the Brighton and Hove City branch of the Royal British Legion after Brighton and Hove City Council decided not to hold an event to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Brighton and Hove Royal British Legion chairman Mary Mears said: “Today is Armed Forces Day across the country so it is important that, as a city, we recognise it.

“As the council decided not to hold an event the Royal British Legion is here today to mark it with a service.”

Councillor Dawn Barnett criticised the council for not organising an event and the scaling back of the Remembrance Day ceremony in Hove last year.

She said: “I’m disappointed with so few people and hardly any councillors coming.”