Around 400 people gathered at Ledbury's war memorial for the two minutes' silence on Remembrance Sunday.

The solemn ceremony followed a march along High Street by the Ledbury branch of the Royal British Legion, police, fire brigade, Ledbury Army Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Ledbury Swifts.

They were watched by a crowd at least 250 strong.

It was a new experience for New Zealand rector John Blundell, who conducted the ceremony.

Rev Blundell, who is on an exchange visit from Auckland, said he found it strongly reminiscent of Anzac Day in his homeland, which takes place on April 25.

"It was very moving," he said.

Mr Blundell said the occasion gave him time to reflect on his English-born relatives who fought in the last century's conflicts, including a grandfather who was at the Somme in the First World War.

Mr Blundell chose The Beatitudes, from the Sermon on the Mount, as his theme for the ceremony afterwards at St Michael and All Angels' Church. Especially fitting for the occasion were "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit", in relation to people who find themselves unhappily involved in conflicts, and "Blessed are the Peacemakers".

Ledbury's mayor Keith Francis said: "It was an excellent turnout and I was pleased to see so many young people, more than I have seen there for a long time.

"There were Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Army Cadets and representatives of John Masefield High School.

"I also think that the number of wreaths are increasing each year. There was a very good representation from the whole community."

Unfortunately, the commanding officer of HMS Ledbury, Lieutenant Commander Peter Olive, could not attend, due to last-minute unforeseen circumstances.

However, Wing Commander Don Rule was there, not only in his capacity as chairman of the Herefordshire county branch of the Royal British Legion, but also as a cabinet member of Herefordshire Council.

More than 50 people assembled again at the war memorial on Tuesday, at 11am, for the traditional minute's silence to mark Armistice Day.

Coun Francis said: "What impressed me was the silence at 11am. Everything stopped. You couldn't hear anything at all."