CELEBRATIONS to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day will see St Helens Town Hall open its doors on Sunday, November 11, so that the public can view a special First World War exhibition.

The display will include a photo exhibition, courtesy of the St Helens Community Archive, and provide a place for the public to mix with veterans after the remembrance ceremony, which is a landmark date in world history.

Armistice Day recognises the signing of an agreement on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 which declared the end of the First World War.

Organisers are expecting large numbers to gather for the service at Victoria Square. Residents are being invited to congregate for the parade and service. It will be led by Armed Forces veterans and young representatives from the Cadets, Scouts and Guides.

A two-minute silence will be respected at at 11am to honour those who died during all conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. Tea and coffee will be served in the town hall afterwards.

In Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows the focal point will be the war memorial at Earlestown Town Hall, with the event due to get underway at 10.45am.

St Helens North MP Conor McGinn and Deputy Mayor of St Helens, Janet Johnson, are among those due to attend.

The A57 Warrington Road, from View Road to St James Road, will be closed for Rainhill’s procession from St Ann’s Church for a wreath laying ceremony at noon.

Remembrance services will also take in churches and at war memorials in several of the borough’s other wards, including Rainford and Billinge.

A host of other events are taking place around the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day – including the lighting of a beacon at Taylor Park.

The ‘Beacons of Light’ - which is national tribute tribute will see a gas fuelled beacon lit at Taylor Park to symbolise the ‘light of hope’ that emerged from the darkness of war.

The ceremony will get underway at 6.45pm on Sunday, November 11. Those interested in attending asked to meet at the Boathouse Café at 6.30pm. The beacon will be lit at 7pm.

Meanwhile, there will be a free brass band concert in Earlestown town centre on Sunday November 11 from 6.45pm to 8pm and a beacon will be lit. In St Helens Town Hall the evening before (Saturday, November 10), the Haydock Male Voice Choir will perform a special ‘Bless ‘Em All’ concert to mark the centenary of the armistice.

Ellie Hull will sing Vera Lynn numbers and there will be a chance for audience participation.

The Royal British Legion and army and navy cadets will join in for a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ type grand finale.

St Helens Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Lynn Clarke, said: “Remembrance Sunday is a fitting opportunity for us to honour our servicemen and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country – and this year we are proud to be playing a part in the historic international event, ‘The Beacons of Light’ to recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by the men and women from our own community.

“Each year, it’s moving to see such incredible turn outs at Remembrance Sunday events, with young and old coming together to pay their respects which is a heart-warming reminder that St Helens will always remember.”