THE community came together to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Hundreds of people, both young and old, turned out over the weekend as the nation remembered servicemen and women killed in combat

The pews at St Mary's Church in High Road, South Woodford, were packed during the Dedication of the Field of Remembrance Service on Saturday, while hundreds lined the streets of Wanstead for the Remembrance Service at Wanstead War Memorial in High Street on Sunday.

Mayor of Redbridge Cllr Muhammed Javed attended services in Ilford, Wanstead and South Woodford.

He said: "It was an honour to be invited and to be able to attend the services.

"Whatever your views of war we should remember.

"These services remind you that there were people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and standard of living.

"I believe that we should pay our respects for those who died yesterday for our today."

President of the Wanstead and Woodford branch of the Royal British Legion, Norman Gower, 93, served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and attended seven services over the weekend.

He said: "The services I attended went extremely well. As always they were very well attended by people showing their respect.

"There are more people today needing help from the RBL than ever before."