CROWDS fell silent at services of remembrance across the country as communities paid tribute to the military on Armed Forces Day.

Standard bearers stood proud, their flags fluttering in the breeze as they made their way to the memorial in Ulverston's Market Square on Saturday.

Organised by the town's Royal British Legion, the event invited members of the armed forces past and present, as well as members of the public to pay their respects.

As 11am chimed, the standards were lowered and a two-minute silence was observed by the gathered crowd.

Councillor Norman Bishop-Rowe, chair of the local RBL, said: "It was poignant to be there as a way of saying thank you to the boys. It was cracking to see members of the public stand quietly around the war memorial, it was low key, no fuss.

"I was greatly appreciative, the town was silent without any measures for the two minutes."

Standards on parade came from the Ulverston RBL, Crake Valley and Backbarrow RBL and Squadron 2223 of the Ulverston Air Training Corps.

Armed Forces Day is now in its 11th year, with hundreds of events of celebration and remembrance being held across the UK.

At the national event held in Liverpool, prime minister Theresa May praised the "tremendous job that the armed forces do for us here at home and across the world, helping to keep us safe".

She said that armed forces "provided visible reassurance to our communities" when they were deployed on the streets after the UK terror threat level was raised to critical.