Crowds lined the streets to watch with pride as soldiers from generations old and new marched through a town to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

Medals were polished and boots were spotless as current and former armed forces personnel paraded through Stowmarket today.

Hundreds of school children from the town were involved as were soldiers from the nearby station Wattisham Airfield.

Gerard Brewster, town mayor, said: “It went very well; I think the number who came out to take part was tremendous. The school children there were in excess of 350 which was very good.

“The parade itself led by The Corps of the Royal Engineers really added to the occasion. I have to say from my point of view it was a really excellent commemorative event for Stowmarket.”

The event’s parade, which was organised by the town council and the Royal British Legion, began coming down Ipswich Street from 11am before songs and readings were performed and read out in the Market Place.

An Apache helicopter from Wattisham flew over at about noon to mark the beginning of the end of the parade.