YOUNG and old turned out in their thousands to pay their respects at services across the district on Remembrance Sunday.

An estimated 3,000 people lined Epping High Street as Epping Forest Pipe Band led a uniformed procession from the Civic Offices to the war memorial, where a short service took place.

Similar crowds gathered to pay tribute in Loughton, as Royal British Legion members and supporters marched from their club in Church Hill to the Kings Green memorial, while Waltham Abbey Church's pews were packed out for a special service of remembrance.

District council chairman Brian Rolfe, who took part in ceremonies in Loughton, Epping and Abridge, said he had been delighted by the number of young people at each event he had attended.

"Everybody was very impressed with the turnouts everywhere," he said.

"I've heard an estimate that in Epping there was about 3,000 there. Loughton, which I went to earlier, was about the same - if anything it was bigger.

"It's been increasing over recent years, starting with Iraq and Afghanistan. I think it's brought it home."

Wreath-laying ceremonies were also held in Buckhurst Hill, Theydon Bois, Chigwell, Ongar and North Weald, with memorial services in Nazeing, Roydon and Chigwell Row.