Sussex fell silent today as thousands paid homage to the nation's war dead.

Magistrates and judges suspended court cases and commuters stood motionless on railway platforms as they joined an estimated 45 million people nationwide to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Supermarkets, councils, schools, colleges and businesses also joined in the Armistice Day silence.

At Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes, officers gathered on grass outside their offices. Firefighters paraded to attention outside stations across the county.

Brighton and Hove mayor and mayoress David Watkins and Sheila Levenson joined ex-servicemen and women at the Peace Statue in King's Road for a service led by the Archdeacon of Chichester, the Venerable Douglas McKittrick.

Regional organisers from the Royal British Legion were delighted by what the charity calls the biggest annual spontaneous demonstration of public support for any cause.

Sussex field officer and Poppy Appeal organiser Mike Paine said: "Today all we have asked is for people to take just two-minutes out of their busy lives to stop and think about how much they owe to those who have given their lives for their country.

"It is touching that so many people across Sussex have taken part in this year's silence. It is clear by the number of shops, companies and schools which took part that there is still huge public support for our cause."