SECOND World War veterans have threatened to boycott Remembrance services at Worcester Cathedral after "celebratory" bells ruined their Armistice Day ceremony.

John Hewlett and fellow members of the Royal British Legion attended a memorial service for fallen soldiers at the Cathedral's cenotaph yesterday - as they have done for the past 40 years.

However, the Royal Navy veteran almost cried when the Cathedral bells rang out during what should have been a solemn ceremony.

"There was utter confusion. It was terrible, and tears came to my eyes," said the 89-year-old, who has been chairman of Worcester's branch of the Legion for 44 years.

"What we generally do is have a prayer and mention those who were killed during the wars, before the two-minute silence.

"The bells sounded celebratory. They drowned out what was being said and you couldn't hear anything. We hadn't even had Last Post. It's not on."

A letter of apology has been sent on behalf of the Cathedral to the Royal British Legion.

In 2002, war veterans criticised service arrangements that saw them packed into the back of Worcester Cathedral where they could barely hear the ceremony.

Mr Hewlett said that, if such mistakes happened again, members of the Royal British Legion would have to attend remembrance services elsewhere.

"It's not right. In the Pacific, I saw 300 people at a time die in their ships and in the water to save my life, and thousands of others," he said.

"No bells should ring on the 11th of the 11th, because the service isn't a celebration. It's a day for silent remembrance and prayers, and it was spoiled.

"There were lots of people there, including schoolchildren. What will they think? They'll take the wrong message from the day and that also upsets me."

The Very Rev Peter Marshall, Dean of Worcester, said there had been a mistake with the timing of the "muffled" bells and apologised for any misunderstanding.

"It was the first time we've rung the bells and perhaps that's why the timing was out," he said.

"We deeply regret any misunderstanding and the chaplain has written a letter of apology. We will consult with the Royal British Legion and see it doesn't happen again."