A ROCKET was launched from near the Worcester Cathedral to mark the start of today's two-minute silence.

At 11am people all over the country stopped what they were doing to remember the sacrifices of British servicemen and women.

The silence is held at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to remember when the First World War, also known as a Great War, came to end in 1918.

Outside Worcester Cathedral, veteran Worcester News reporter Mike Grundy lit the rocket, which shot up into the sky and then exploded into poppy-coloured lights.

At 11.02am he lit a second rocket which marked the end of the silence.

Mr Grundy said he was taking the place of the usual rocket-lighter David Turner, who was unable to make today's celebrations.

In St John's, at the ceremony at the War Memorial of St John's Church, youngsters from Christopher Whitehead School, for the first time, took part in the Exhortation.

Cyril Dear, president of the branch, said: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn."

Then pupils said: "At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."

This was followed by the two-minute silence and then the final part was read: "When you go home tell them of us and say - For your tomorrow we gave our today".