VETERANS and residents across the Tendring district will pay their respects to those who gave their lives in the First World War.

This year marks the centenary of the start of devastating conflict, which cost 16 million lives.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out to Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day events across the district, paying tribute to those who died in both world wars and other conflicts.

Clacton Royal British Legion chairman Jamie Robinson said: “Every year is important to us, but it is especially poignant this year because it is 100 years since the war started.

“They paid the ultimate sacrifice for king and country and for the local area. We would like to see as many people as possible come out to pay their respects, wearing their poppies with pride.”

Royal British Legion members and veterans will take part in a parade from outside Clacton Town Hall on Sunday at 10.30am.

They will march to the war memorial on Clacton seafront for a service at 11am.

Another service takes place outside Clacton Town Hall at 10.55am on Tuesday.

Last year, more than 1,400 people turned out to the Remembrance Sunday event in Walton and organisers expect even more this weekend.

A parade will take place from Millennium Square to the War Memorial Gardens at 10.20am for a service at 10.45am.

A smaller service will take place at Walton’s War Memorial Garden on Tuesday at 10.50am.

A service will also take place at St Michael’s Church, Thorpe, at 10.15am, followed by a short parade to the war memorial at the junction of Abbey Street and Station Road, at 10.40am to lay wreaths.

Frinton War Memorial Club, in Fourth Avenue, is holding a service and wreath laying on Sunday at 10am.

There will also be a Remembrance Festival in the Triangle shopping centre, Frinton, on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.