Hundreds of people gathered around the St Peter’s Street war memorial as St Albans paid its respects to the heroes who gave their lives for the nation's freedom.

The Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Howard Guard, the Mayor of St Albans, Councillor Geoff Harrison, MP Anne Main and members of the armed forces and emergency services laid wreaths at the foot of the memorial during the Remembrance Sunday service.

The haunting sound of The Last Post rang out around the town before the gathered crowds paused for the two minutes silence to remember the fallen.

A number of veterans were also present at the service, including 90-year-old Peter Woodard from Nelson Avenue, who took part in the parade.

Born in East Anglia before moving to St Albans, Mr Woodard flew with the 192 Squadron - a radio counter measure squadron.

He was a rear-gunner and wireless operator in a Wellington and then a Halifax bomber during the Second World War. Mr Woodard lost his twin brother who was killed in action.

Mr Woodard said: "I joined at the same time as my twin brother, who was also a rear gunner. He was shot down over Italy in 1945, just before the war ended. His name is on the war memorial.

"So I come here every year, not only for him but everybody else we’ve lost."

Mr Woodward received a Bomber Command crest from Prime Minister David Cameron this year.

Another veteran taking part in the day’s commemorations was Mike Tetley MBE, representing the Blind Veterans UK organisation.

Mr Tetley , 84, also from St Albans, lost his sight after being shot while in action in Kenya.

Mr Tetley, who spoke fluent Swahili, joined the Kenya Regiment and was then seconded to the King’s African Rifles with which he fought in the Mau Mau Uprising to fight a rebellious Kikuyu independence fighters.

Mr Tetley’s unit had intercepted a gang which had ambushed a police pay truck and he was involved in heavy fighting.

He said: "It was the first time I’d let off a sub machine gun magazine using all the bullets, which left me feeling completely defenceless. During the fighting, a bullet hit me in the left ear and came out of my right eye.

"As I lay on the ground a Kenyan fellow-soldier stood over me and single-handedly fought off seven enemy soldiers. I was lucky to escape with my life."

On the day, Mr Tetley was thinking about his experiences and all those who served, and continue to serve in conflict areas.

He said: "We saw action every single day for six months, but I still think my service was a picnic compared to those who’ve been in Afghanistan."

The service commemorated the beginning of the First World War a century ago.