A MOVING ceremony saw Britain's war dead remembered in York.

The annual ceremony at the South Africa War Memorial, Duncombe Place, is held to dedicate the Memorial Garden and start the poppy appeal.

It also raises the curtain on tomorrow's Festival of Remembrance at 7.30pm at York Barbican Centre.

The ceremony was led by services' Chaplain the Rev David Porter, and attended by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Charles Hall, and the Sheriff of York, Coun Keith Orrell.

Hymns were played by the York Railway Institute Golden Rail Band.

Standards from the Royal British Legion and other ex-services organisations were raised and The Last Post was sounded.

York Royal British Legion president Ted Griffiths said: "This is a chance for local families and widows to remember their loved ones who made the supreme sacrifice."

Ex-Royal Marine Bernard Hallas, 85, of Haxby, said: "It is a very important ceremony. If we do not keep it alive it will die a natural death."

Crosses displaying the insignia of all regiments which fought in both World Wars are currently on display in the Memorial Garden.

Updated: 12:15 Saturday, November 01, 2003