Armistice Day marked across south of England

Local schoolchildren attended the Armistice Day event in Brockenhurst

Workplaces and public spaces in the south of England fell silent during the annual Armistice Day commemoration.

People gathered for the two minutes' silence at 11:00 GMT to remember men and women who lost their lives serving in the two world wars and other conflicts.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.

Civic dignitaries led the commemorations in central Reading

The Armistice Day silence takes place each year at 11:00, on the 11th day of the 11th month - the moment fighting was suspended on the Western Front at the end of World War One in 1918.

A couple of hundred people turned out at the memorial outside Reading's Forbury Gardens.

The silence was observed as part of a short tribute ceremony led by the town's mayor.

Mayor of Reading Alice Mpofu-Coles said: "We have to always remember, it's not just one day - and we look after the war veterans that are still here with us who were injured, traumatised and who are struggling with their lives."

The two-minute's silence was observed at Southampton's war memorial

In Southampton, veterans gathered at the city's war memorial where the two minute's silence was observed.

In the New Forest, local schoolchildren joined the commemoration at the village's war memorial.

Resident Mike Bowles, who served in the Army for 34s, said: "You remember everyone whose been involved - I've got some close friends who were killed in the Falklands - it's their relatives you think of today.

"It's important we do remember and we keep our forces going. It means a lot"

Staff at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital joined the two-minute's silence to mark Armistice Day

Staff at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital were among those who stopped work to observe the two-minute's silence.

On a social media post, Dorset Hospitals NHS Trust said: "It was an opportunity to pause, reflect, and pay respect to those who died in conflict, and we are grateful to our Chaplaincy Team and members of the Armed Forces for their support and contributions".

In Blandford, the silence was followed by a piper playing a lament.

Royal British Legion organiser Terry Clarkson said: "While the 11th of the 11th is symbolic - its also an opportunity remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War Two and campaigns since then all over the world."

Volunteers, community groups, school children used more than 3,000 paper tissue poppies to create a cascading arch remembrance tribute in the Russell Cotes Museum in Bournemouth.

Residents in Canterton paused at 11:00

In Carterton, Oxfordshire - home to RAF Brize Norton - the town's mayor led the Armistice Day commemorations.

Michele Mead said: "My grandfather fought during the war - he was a para - so it means a lot personally, but on a community basis it means so much more because we are a military town so it brings so many residents together.

"We have to show our respect for the service forces now and for those from the past."

Schoolchildren from five local primary schools created around 1,400 poppies for this year's Remembrance events.

West Oxfordshire District Council's armed forces champion Natalie King said: "It was a really lovely activity, to go into the schools and meet all of the children... and get them to do something that we can keep for years to come and decorate our town ready for Remembrance."

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Louise Upton, took part in a ceremony at the town hall

In Oxford, a ceremony and short service were held in Oxford Town Hall.

Lord Mayor of Oxford Louise Upton said Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday gave the opportunity to "pause and reflect" on the sacrifices made the armed forces and their families.

"As we stand together in silence, we honour the courage and selflessness of those who choose to serve, to protect the freedoms we hold dear," she said.