MEN who died in action during the First World War were remembered at the weekend.

Eighteen standard bearers from local branches of the Royal British Legion paraded through Leighterton to the village’s war graves on Sunday.

The parade was to commemorate ANZAC Day, on April 25, which remembers all Australian and New Zealand service men who died during the First World War.

Leighterton airfield was used during the First World War to train the first members of the Royal Australian Air Force. Trainees were then sent to serve in France.

Gwen Francis, from the Gloucestershire county office of the Royal British Legion, who helped to organise the parade, said: "The day has happened now for a long, long time and it is so appropriate that it is at Leighterton with the Australian war graves there.

"We have a parade down from the Royal Oak along to the cemetery and there was a cadet band to lead us.

"Sunday went really well and we would like to thank everyone who took part. We are very grateful and we hope they enjoyed the day."

The parade was attended by Lord Vestey, deputy Lord Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, Major John Eyres, county president of the Royal British Legion for Gloucestershire and representatives from the Australian High Commission, New Zealand High Commission and the War Graves Commission.

During the parade there was also a fly past by a Dakota DC3 from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.