The Mayor of Carlisle has led respectful commemorations of the city’s fallen heroes.

Councillor Jessica Riddle laid the final few of over 200 small poppy crosses on the Commonwealth War Graves at Carlisle Cemetery at the end of a short, sombre open air service.

They are among a total of 400 war graves to receive the same token of remembrance in the cemeteries across the city.

Veterans and members of the public, around 30 in total, gathered at the World War One memorial in Carlisle Cemetery.

An autumnal breeze blew through the cemetery, under grey skies, as the service took place.

The Rev Keith Teasdale, chaplain of the Carlisle and Stanwix branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), led the service during which red poppy wreaths were laid at the foot of the 1920 memorial.

He said: “For some of these people buried here there is no family around now so it is important that we look after them, we care for them and we remember them.

“We also remember what these war graves represent. As well as representing people who have died, there are families with memories where one day their loved one went out of the door to serve their country and never came back.

“Every family across the land shared this.

“I know, in my own family, my grandfather went away and came back with the memories of the horrors that is what we are remembering today.”

The service included the traditional act of remembrance, exhortation, wreath laying, prayers and blessing.

Those who attended the service, including passing dog walkers, recited the Lord’s Prayer before also singing the National Anthem together unaccompanied.

Piper Roland Lawson played while RBL branch secretary Tony Parrini accompanied Mrs Riddle to lay the final crosses.

Retired Lt Col Mike Rowley, an Army veteran with 49 years service, removed his bowler hat as the standard was lowered.

Mr Rowley, of Moffat, who is also treasurer of the local RBL branch, said: “I want to commemorate the fallen. It is a duty - we should respect all of that comrades have given in the past.”

The annual war graves service alternates between the cemetery’s World War One and Two memorials.

As the country marks 100 years since the end of the Great War, yesterday’s took place at the World War One memorial.