REMEMBRANCE services were held across the borough as the region paid its tribute to those who have fallen in service of their country.

On the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War there was a special poignancy at services, particularly with troops currently serving in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nowhere were those tributes more heartfelt than in Aveley, where only a few weeks ago a funeral service was held for local man Nicky mason, killed in Afghanistan.Aveley and Kenningtons community forums and residents are keen to see the War Memorial restored and improved.

Councillor John Cowell has donated £100 and his wife Suzan has donated £250 from her Jack Petchey Award to start the fund. The Aveley Village Forum is administering the project.

Members of Lance Corporal Mason's family planted a tree in the war memorial grounds in memory of Nicky. It was donated by Thurrock Garden Centre.

Services were held across the region, including at Tilbury, Stanford-le-Hope, Orsett and Grays, where MP Andrew Mackinlay and borough Mayor councillor John Everett were among those laying wreaths.