About 100 poppy-wearing patriots were left standing “like wooden tops” at Canvey’s war memorial waiting for Sunday’s remembrance celebrations to start.

Some island residents amassed at the monument at the Paddocks in Long Road, expecting the traditional two minutes silence and wreath-laying ceremony to begin at 11am.

But unbeknown to them the formalities were actually taking place inside the Paddocks main hall, just yards away.

A remembrance service is always held inside the hall at 10.40am followed by a gathering at the memorial afterwards – however it appears this year this information did not filter through to those outside.

Vivienne Rhyfs, 62, of Long Road, Canvey, who was at the service for the first time, said: “We were left standing there like wooden tops! I felt really silly.

“I got there in plenty of time, but as it got to 11am everyone just looked at each other wondering what was happening. There must have been 100 of us at least.

“Nobody told us ‘it’s happening inside!’ not even the police who were just standing there watching us.

“One guy whose son is serving in Afghanistan said it was an insult so many people who wanted to pay their respects were left hanging around like lemons.

“There was an old boy standing all alone with his war medals gleaming. He must have been in his nineties and he looked very upset.”

However, councillor Ray Howard, who is an honourary member of Canvey branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “I’m sorry that some people couldn’t get in or weren’t aware of the order of service. It’s a real shame.

“But I know the Rev David Tudor who led the service, did go out at one point to tell people there was some room left down the sides if they didn’t mind standing.

“I’ve been going to the service every year for 44 years and I can honestly say I’ve never seen so many people there – 600 at least.”

Mr Howard said he would explore, along with other councillors and the Royal British Legion, the possibility of having tannoys next year to accommodate the ever-increasing crowd.

He added: “I think the Legion did a tremendous job with this year’s parade and it looks like we’re set to smash our record for poppy fund.”

Castle Point mayor Jackie Govier added: “It was lovely. We had a two minutes silence and also a ‘two minutes noise’ for the living where we clapped and cheered for current servicemen and women.”