POPPIES were out in force on Remembrance Sunday as hundreds of people paid their respects to the district's fallen war heroes.

Bright sunshine and a blue sky masked a chilly Sunday morning, as services took place in Tynedale's towns and villages.

There was quite a spectacle in Hexham, where the 'D' Battery, 3rd Regiment, of the Royal Horse Artillery, led a parade along Priestpopple and and Fore Street, en route to the cenotaph.

This year, Hexham Town Council invited the NHS to lay a wreath on behalf of Hexham General Hospital, which was originally built in 1940 to nurse wounded soldiers during the Second World War.

Kim Minnis, of Northumbria Healthcare NHS trust, accepted the invitation, and Hexham town councillor Mark Graham said it was vital for the hospital to be represented alongside the police, fire and ambulance services.

He added: "This is the reason we have a general hospital in a small market town today - and it's an important and cherished asset."

In Haltwhistle, veteran Roman Catholic minister Father Leo Pyle (84), who celebrated 60 years in the priesthood earlier this year, jointly led a service with Rev. Neil Wilson.

Churches also joined together in Haydon Bridge, where Rev. Dr Benjamin Carter depicted the story of the poppy to a large congregation at St Cuthbert's Church, before villagers gathered at the cenotaph.

There was a cross section of the community at services across the district, with representation from cadets and other uniformed contingents, as well as scouts and guides.

Air Training Cadets were out in force at Prudhoe, where a parade marched along Front Street to St Mary Magdalene Church.

Wark First School children places poppies at the village's war memorial prior to a service attended by Wark and District British Legion.

Corbridge British Legion led a parade in Corbridge, while there were also services elsewhere, including Allendale, Bellingham, Wark, Stocksfield, and Stamfordham.