South East pays respects to the fallen

The number of conflicts around the world is currently higher than at any point since 1945, according to the Global Peace Index

People across the south east of England have gathered on Remembrance Sunday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in conflict.

Events took place across Kent, Sussex and Surrey ahead of Armistice Day, which commemorates the end of hostilities on the Western Front in World War One.

Thousands of veterans and civilians laid wreaths at local war memorials and observed two minutes of silence.

Graham Cosham, a former Royal Engineer at a service in Brighton, said it was vital to remember the victims of war to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

Mr Cosham urged people not to forget history

"We remember the guys that served with us... who enable us to do what we do today."

"Without them we wouldn't be free to do it," he added.

Multiple events were held across Brighton and Hove.

There were also a number of annual parades in towns and villages, followed by church services.

Brigadier Peter Gilbert said there had been a "wonderful turnout" at what he called a poignant remembrance event in Chatham, Kent.

Wreaths of red poppies were laid in all three counties

He told BBC Radio Kent it was vital that we "never forget" the sacrifices people had made not only since the world wars, but in recent years.

The BBC also attended a service for Remembrance Sunday at St Nicholas Church in Godstone, Surrey.

Wreaths were laid at the war memorial by organisations including Tandridge District Council, Godstone Parish Council and 1st Godstone Scouts.

Mr Gilbert was one of thousands of people who turned out to pay their respects

During the service, a list of names of all of those who lost their lives during World War One and Two was read out.

King Charles led a ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London, alongside tens of thousands of people paying their respects to the fallen.

There are currently 56 active conflicts - the most since the end of the Second World War in 1945 - according to the Global Peace Index.