HUNDREDS of people are expected to flock to Romsey to pay their respect to those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Romsey residents will gather at the War Memorial in the War Memorial Park on November 11 at 11am to remember those killed in the First World War.

A parade lead by the Royal British Legion will assemble in Love Lane ready to march to Romsey Abbey at 9.10am via The Hundred, Market Place and Church Street.

The Romsey Branch of the Royal British Legion, officers and men of the 22nd Regiment Royal Engineers, Romsey Old Cadet Band and a number of uniformed civilian organisations will take part to this year’s parade which is expected to be larger than in previous years.

A civic service will start at 9.30am in Romsey Abbey and after the service the parade will reform in Church Lane at 10.30am to march to the War Memorial Park.

The act of remembrance will be followed by a two-minute silence followed by the laying of wreaths.

The parade will then march back up to the Market Place for the salute, taking a route via the north side of the Abbey and Church Place.

After the salute by the statue of Lord Palmerston the parade will return to the Royal British Legion to disperse.

Organisers said road closures will be kept to the minimum with sections of roads in the town centre being opened and closed as required between 8am and noon.

Drivers are recommended to avoid the area and use the Crosfield Hall, Bus Station, Newton Lane and Alma Road car parks.

The Remembrance Day events are managed by Romsey Town Council assisted by the Romsey Branch of the Royal British Legion and Romsey Abbey staff. Town centre manager Mark Edgerley said: “Please respect the directions of our volunteer marshals who will be on duty to assist you with access, due to the rolling nature of the road closures and the short periods involved Romsey Town Council requests that drivers exercise caution and allow extra time for journeys. “

Other commemorative events set to be run in Romsey are:

l Romsey Railway Station Poppy Memorial – November 10, 11am, a moment of reflection for the lives lost in the 1914-18 conflict.

l Romsey Abbey, November 14, at 7.30pm, “Concert to remember the end of The Great War of 1914 – 1918” with Patricia Hammond international acclaimed mezzo soprano accompanied by Matt Redman, poetry and readings by students and guests of Romsey School and songs from Romsey Male Voice Choir. Tickets £10, concessions £5 from Romsey Visitor Centre and Romsey Town Hall.

l Romsey Abbey, November 18, at 3pm. – Thanksgiving Service.