Watton joined towns across the UK in remembering the brave men who lost their lives 100 years ago at the Battle of the Somme.

Eastern Daily Press: Whistle for the Somme service at Watton war memorial. Rev Gerry Foster and Royal British Legion secretary/treasurer David Sell face the crowd.Whistle for the Somme service at Watton war memorial. Rev Gerry Foster and Royal British Legion secretary/treasurer David Sell face the crowd. (Image: Archant)

Around 30 people attended a whistle blowing service, organised by the Watton Royal British Legion branch, at the town's war memorial on Thetford Road on Friday morning.

Branch secretary and treasurer David Sell gave a speech in remembrance of the men from Watton and the surrounding villages who were struck down in northern France during the four-month campaign in 1916, and branch chairman Alan Chilvers acted as standard bearer.

At 7.30pm Mr Sell blew three blasts on a whistle, in memory of the troops' signal to go over the top.

Three members of the Watton-based Phoenix Pipes and Drums band, Stan and Sue Hebborn and Richard Daplyn, played Flowers of the Forest and Mayor of Watton Beryl Bunning laid a poppy wreath on the memorial.

Eastern Daily Press: Whistle for the Somme service at Watton war memorial. Mayor Beryl Bunning lays a poppy wreath.Whistle for the Somme service at Watton war memorial. Mayor Beryl Bunning lays a poppy wreath. (Image: Archant)

An ex-army bugler played The Last Post and a two-minute silence was observed, then the Rev Gerry Foster, of St Mary's Church in Watton, led prayers for the fallen soldiers.