Hundreds of people stood in silence at war memorials across the borough yesterday to honour the Waltham Forest’s war dead and show respect to serving soldiers.

Processions wound their way through the streets of Walthamstow, Chingford and Leytonstone as the young and old stood together, with each proudly displaying a poppy on their chest.

Traffic stood still along Forest Road in Walthamstow as veterans and supporters of the Royal British Legion made their way from Lloyd Park to the town hall.

Serving soldiers, army cadets and veterans marched to the ceremony at the war memorial in Forest Road, also joined by young people from clubs around the borough.

Traffic was also halted in Chingford as families made their way from the fire station to St Peter and St Paul's Church to the sound of bagpipes.

MP Ian Duncan Smith attended, laying a wreath on the war memorial.

At Chingford Mount Cemetery, in Old Church Road, crosses and flowers were laid on the graves of the war dead in a poignant act of respect.

Services were also held at Coronation Gardens, Leyton and the Leytonstone Harrow Green Memorial.