The 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean war has been commemorated in Ledbury.

Dignitaries from across Herefordshire joined residents, veterans and members of the Royal British Legion to remember the sacrifice of British soldiers, along with soldiers of several other countries, during the war.

The service took place on Thursday, July 27.

A procession was led by a local bagpiper, Simon Addison, from the Ledbury Town Council offices to the Walled Garden.

Ledbury mayor Helen I’Anson read a passage from the Bible which was then followed by the poem ‘Absent Veterans’ read by Councillor Malcolm Hughes.

The poem was written by David Lidstone, a Private from Gloucestershire who served in the Korean War.

Would that you could wander still

Through grassy fields, by wooded hill

When morning bird-song fills the air

And yet another spring is here.

If only you could still feel the sun

Upon your face when winter's done,

And smell sweet-scented flowers fair

When yet another summer's here.

But fate decided otherwise

And you, beneath Korean skies,

A gallant band of comrades lie,

Your duty done, your merit high.

No changing seasons can erase

That once familiar name, that face

Which comes and lingers in each thought

Of those with whom we lived and fought.

Cllr I’Anson hosted a reception of light refreshments in the Town Council Offices following the memorial service, which was well received by all.