A MAROON sounded in Andover on Tuesday - Armistice Day - to mark the beginning and end of a two-minute silence honouring those who died in war and conflict.

The deputy mayor and mayoress of Test Valley Cllr Neville and Mrs Whiteley gathered to pay their respects at the town's cenotaph with ex-servicemen and dignitaries, before walking to the garden of remembrance to lay a wreath.

Shoppers in Andover High Street bowed their heads and paused in a united show of respect as the first maroon sounded to signify the day in 1918 when the Germans signed the Armistice to end the First World War.

Most cars in the High Street came to a halt to observe the two minute silence and shoppers stood outside stores.

Chilbolton couple Betty and Leonard Geary ensure they observe the silence every year whether at home or in public. Betty had two uncles who died in the First World War and believes it's important to honour their sacrifices.

"Respect comes into it and it naturally seems to be the right thing to do," she said.

Stockbridge paid tribute to the fallen as representatives of the community gathered at the cenotaph. A short service led by the Rev Canon John Bown, a former Honorary Chaplain to The Queen, preceded the two minute silence. Traffic approaching the war memorial was halted while the people stood in silence.

Among those at the service were all the pupils of class five, year six, of Stockbridge Primary School and two former Test Valley mayors Cllr Tony Gentle and Cllr Robert Gardiner. Cllr Gentle praised the presence of the schoolchildren and emphasised how important it was for younger generations to understand the sacrifices made for them.

During a two-minute silence at Andover Fire Station the firefighters were called to an emergency.

The Mayor of Test Valley and consort Cllr Pat and Peter West assembled for a silence in the Memorial Park in Romsey. This year an Australian representative arrived in the borough to lay a wreath in memory of his countrymen buried in Test Valley.