SCHOOLCHILDREN around the district observed a two minute silence on Armistice Day to honour the fallen.

They paid their respects at their schools, cenotaphs and in memorial gardens to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the time hostilities in the First World War formally ended.

In Ilkley, children from Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup observed a minute's silence on Armistice Day. Youngsters from the playgroup visited Ilkley Memorial Gardens, off The Grove, on Thursday morning, for the minute's silence at 11am.

At Westville House School in Ilkley the children created 'The Little People Poppy'. The poppy was made up of all the children wearing coloured clothing to create a fantastic human poppy.

They also observed a two minute silence around the flag pole at the school after which they 'planted' the paper plate poppies they had all made.

Helen James, head of marketing at Westville House School said: "It was tremendous and it was a great way to engage the children with the importance of remembering."

Children from Tranmere Park Primary School in Guiseley visited the town's cenotaph on November 11 to pay their respects.

The Year 5, Puffins class made their own poppies to take which were then pinned to a wreath and left at the cenotaph. Some of the children had written their own commemorative poems which they read out after observing the two minute silence.

*AN OTLEY supermarket is running a poppy recycling service.

Shoppers can drop off paper poppies at the customer service desk of the town's Sainsbury's store up until Tuesday, November 24.

All of the poppies collected will be re-used or recycled by The Royal British Legion.

Otley store manager Paul Mitchell said "The poppy appeal was a great success this year and we'd like to thank everyone who contributed.

"With this recycling initiative we want to show our customers another way they can support The Royal British Legion to ensure their poppies don't go to waste."

The Legion's Corporate Partnerships Manager, Ellie Failes, added: "We're delighted to be working with Sainsbury's again on this recycling initiative.

"It's another great way for customers to support us further."