LOCAL communities across the Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Kelty and Benarty areas turned out to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday.

There were solemn services and parades held with wreaths and memorials laid in memory of those who gave their lives for their country.

A large crowd braved the November chill in Lochgelly and waited by the memorial on Bank Street to greet the parade led by the Lochgelly High School Pipe Band.

Several wreaths were laid, beginning with a serving member of the Royal Navy from HMS Caledonia.

The officiating clergy were Father Nicholas Grace, Deacon Pamela Scott and Jane Kemp, while music was provided throughout the service by Lochgelly Brass Band.

The Lest We Forget Club, who organise the parade, thanked everyone involved. They are looking for volunteers to join their committee, anyone interested can email the chairman on adiescot@aol.com.

In Cowdenbeath, where the community council organised the events, the local cadet group formed a guard of honour at the First World War memorial with a piper playing after a brief informal ceremony.

That was followed by the parade, which left from the library and finished at the Town House, where the main service was held.

Also taking place in the afternoon was the Benarty Remembrance Service, which was held at Lochore Bowling Club.

It was followed by a parade to the war memorial on Lochleven Road where wreaths were laid.

A poppy laying service took place on Monday at Ballingry Cemetery with pupils from Benarty and St Kenneth's primary schools involved.

In Cardenden the Fife Police Pipe Band led the parade which departed from outside the scout hall for the service at Auchterderran War Memorial.

The local minister, the Reverend Donald Lawrie, conducted the service which included the wreath laying ceremony.

After the service the Cardenden Events Committee arranged free hot soup, stovies, sausage rolls, teas and coffees in the Railway Tavern.

Chair of the committee, Alex Burns MBE, thanked Allison Duncan from the tavern, the minister, the pipe band and the large number of people for their attendance.

Services were held at churches throughout the area and in Lumphinnans the Reverend Debbie Dobby took the service at the war memorial, which was attended by 30 people. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Fife Council, the community council, bowling club and the church.

After the Remembrance Day service in Kelty, there was a screening of 'They Shall Not Grow Old' at the community cinema in the ex-servicemen's club.