MORE than 1,000 people gathered to remember fallen heroes on a special anniversary.

Basildon’s Remembrance Day parade saw organisations meet in East Walk and parade down to St Martin’s Church in the square for an emotional service of remembrance.

More than a dozen wreaths were laid by schoolchildren and dignitaries including the mayor of Basildon David Dadds who addressed the crowds before laying a wreath.

Basildon’s Labour leader Gavin Callaghan also laid a wreath at the memorial.

Those involved in the parade included representatives from the coastguard, Army cadets and RAF as well as cubs and scouts.

The service started at 10.30am and the Last Post was played to the crowds before a two-minute silence fell over the square.

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for Basildon and East Thurrock, said: “The service was a fitting way to mark Remembrance Day 2018 in Basildon and to commemorate the ending of hostilities, the signing of the Armistice and the end of the First World War.”

Those taking part in the parade and watching on also remembered those who had died in all conflicts since the Great War.

Basildon councillor Andrew Schrader said: “I was honoured to lay the wreath on behalf of the Basildon Conservatives to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.”

Services also took place in Laindon, Billericay and Wickford.