AS Remembrance Day approaches once more communities across the borough are planning ways to honour and celebrate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The annual town centre service held at the war memorial on the steps of town hall will return again on November 10.

Each year the event attracts thousands, with local dignitaries including expected to attend.

Meanwhile, the Royal British Legion (RBL) hosted a separate service in town yesterday at St Mary’s Church, which started at 7pm and intended to live up to some of the nation’s biggest services.

Phillip Watson, of the RBL, told the Chronicle ahead of the service: “I like to say that it’ll be like the Royal Albert Hall performance for Yorkshire.

“We’ve got the mayors of Barnsley, Wakefield and Doncaster joining who will receive the guard of honour.

“Barnsley Met Band will be coming and this we’ll have Barnburgh Male Voice Choir from near Doncaster performing as well.”

Air, sea and army cadets also arrived to take part in a drumhead service - a tradition started on battlefields which sees drummers march before laying their instruments together and draping them in a Union Jack, creating a temporary altar.

Smaller villages in the borough are expected to host their own services, with the RBL joining the congregation at St Peter’s Church in Hoyland on Sunday, a service taking place a St Helen’s in Athersley on the same day and an act of Remembrance from St Paul’s, Monk Bretton on Monday November 11.

Meanwhile, Wombwell veteran and Proud of Barnsley finalist Caroline Buckle will be heading to London, to march alongside her husband and 42 others from Help for Heroes to pay tribute at the Cenotaph on November 10.