THOUSANDS lined the streets of the North-East to honour the fallen as the nation marked 100 years since the end of the  First World War.

With poppies proudly pinned to their chests people fell silent to remember the men and women who have given their lives in conflict.

In Darlington more than 1,000 people turned out to pay their respects to the fallen in the grounds of Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Video: Remembrance Sunday in Darlington, Durham and Sunderland

A parade of veterans, dignitaries, cadets and local groups and organisations walked along Hollyhurst Road following a service in Holy Trinity Church before a minute’s silence was observed after the Last Post sounded.

Among the people paying wreaths at the Cenotaph were Mayor of Darlington Councillor Veronica Copeland, the town’s MP Jenny Chapman and representatives from regiments including The Rifles and Durham Light Infantry.

Alice Johnson, of Darlington, who was at the Act of Remembrance with her three children, said: “I feel it is important to remember what these people did for their country. I also think it’s important that young people learn about what happened during the World Wars.”

In Durham, thousands lined the narrow streets of the city to observe the colourful, now multi-national parade, from Palace Green to the Market Place, where the ‘salute’ was taken on a dais by the Mayor, councillor John Lethbridge, plus senior military figures from each of the services, including Colonel James Ramsbotham, Honorary Colonel for the Rifles regiment in Durham, the successor to the famous Durham Light Infantry regiment.

Attending the preceding Durham Cathedral service, followed by the parade, were a 15-strong detachment of matelots from the French warship, Pluvier, which is now berthed on the River Tyne.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Laurent Falhun said: “We are proud and honoured to be here today, and I would like it to be the same next year, if possible.

“It’s been incredible, amazing, and we have had such a good welcome, of course.”

Event organiser Arthur Lockyear said he believed it was something of a first to feature the French Navy in a parade in a provincial part of the UK.

“It’s been a magnificent parade from all branches of the services, with the Household Cavalry and the Ghurkas here for the first time.

“It was capped off by having a detachment of sailors from France.

“We must be one of the few parades in this country to be joined by the French Navy.”

He said it was also refreshing to welcome a party of pupils from County Durham’s German twin district, Kreis Wesel, in North Rhine-Westphalia, marking the “spirit of reconciliation.”

The Northern Echo:

In Sunderland, crowds gathered to witness a beachside event to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

A portrait of a local soldier, Hugh Carr from Houghton-le-Spring was etched into the sand at Roker Beach in Sunderland.

The art piece was created as part of Danny Boyle’s ‘Pages of the Sea’ Armistice commission.

Keith Merrin chief executive of Sunderland Culture said: "I think it's fantastic for us to take part in this national celebration.

"Sunderland is one of those places where every Remembrance Day is well observed, hundreds of people have come out to pay their respects."