Nottinghamshire Police and Fire staff remember war dead in ceremony at joint headquarters near Hucknall

Officers and staff from Nottinghamshire Police stood in silent tribute as they remembered Britain's war dead on Armistice Day.

During a ceremony at Force HQ, which is less than five miles from Hucknall, senior officers were joined by the Police and Crime Commissioner and colleagues from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service as they observed two minutes of silence and laid commemorative wreaths at the force's war memorial.

This morning's ceremony included prayers by police and fire chaplains Rev. Jo Tatum and Rev. David Miller, and was concluded with a reading of John McCrae's poem In Flanders Fields.

Armistice Day marks the cessation of hostilities in the First World War – on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in November 1918.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: "Every year we come together to pay our respects to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country, and it is always a great honour to do so.

"Those brave men and women gave their lives to protect the freedoms we all enjoy today, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

"As a force we are extremely fortunate to have so many military veterans serving in our ranks – many of whom will join me and other senior officers at events across the county this weekend."

Armistice Day events have been held every year since 1919. Remembrance Poppies were first sold by the Royal British Legion in 1921 to raise funds for ex-servicemen.

Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry added: "It is so important to take the time to remember the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice."