HUNDREDS of people stopped to honour service personnel and their families as a parade took place in Bournemouth town centre this afternoon.

The march, led by the Royal Artillery Band and almost 60 standard bearers, took place on the first day of the 94th annual conference of the Royal British Legion Women's Section.

Almost 1,000 members visited the BIC as part of the event, with many joining the parade through the Lower Gardens to the war memorial.

The parade began after members of the public heard a cry prepared by Poole town crier David Squires.

A special service took place once participants arrived at the memorial.

Participants sang hymns and listened to readings and prayers as the sun began to set.

Bournemouth's mayor, Councillor Chris Mayne, and other local dignitaries saluted marchers as they pass through Bournemouth Square, before joining all by the war memorial to participate wreath-laying ceremony.

The event drew to a dramatic close with a beating retreat at sunset.

BH Live director of venues Pat Coyne said: "The Royal British Legion Women’s Section last visited Bournemouth eight years ago and we are delighted to welcome them back for their 94th Annual Conference."

She said the parade through the Lower Gardens was a "spectacular event to help raise awareness and funds to enable the Women’s Section to continue their good work, while remembering the many lives lost in all wars".

National chair of the women's section Marilyn Humphry said: “It is fantastic seeing so many of our members come together under one roof and hear about the many ways in which the money they have worked so hard to raise has helped veterans and armed forces families in need.

“Being Dorset born and bred, it is both an honour and privilege for me to welcome members to Bournemouth for this year’s conference."

The event started with a national standard bearers competition on Tuesday, when the winners of the regional competitions competed to become the Women’s Section National Standard Bearer.

The winner will go on to represent the Women’s Section at a host of national events.

VIP guests and friends also attended an evening reception at Days Hotel.

The conference officially opened today with a service in the Tregonwell Hall at 10am, followed by the election of national officers and a packed conference agenda.

This year’s guest speakers include novelist and screenwriter, Julian Fellowes, creator of the period drama series Downton Abbey, and Chelsea Pensioner Brian Cumming, a much-decorated Royal Corps of Signals veteran who was made an MBE for his welfare work at the Ministry of Defence following his retirement from the army.