Britain's oldest war veteran paraded past the Cenotaph in an open top vintage car to represent the millions of British men who served in the Great War.

Henry Allingham, 107, joined comrades Bill Stone, 103, and Norman Robinson, 102, in a chauffeur-driven 1911 Austin for the march-past in central London.

Naval air mechanic Mr Allingham, of Chesterfield Road, Eastbourne, represented Britain's fast diminishing ranks of Great War survivors.

Just 27 British veterans now survive.

It is believed to be the first time in 10 years that veterans of the 1914-18 conflict have joined the march-past in central London.

Royal British Legion organisers believe the last time veterans joined the march was in 1993 when a group of about 20 walked and another six were pushed in wheelchairs.

For Mr Allingham it was yet another honour.

Last month at Eastbourne town hall he was bestowed the highest military honour France has to offer, the Legion D'Honneur.

Mr Allingham, who married and had two daughters, was at the Battle of Jutland, where he had a prime view of the fierce fighting.

And as a mechanic he had to service aircraft just a few miles behind the Western Front in Europe, bringing him face-to-face with the young men in the trenches.

Mr Allingham looked on yesterday as the Queen, dressed in black, laid the first tribute to the fallen at the Cenotaph in London.

Elsewhere, up and down the country, respects were paid to those who gave their lives to preserve their country's freedom.

In Eastbourne, incessant rain failed to deter hundreds from gathering.

People stood under umbrellas to shield themselves against the driving rain as dozens of wreaths were laid at the war memorial off Cornfield Road.

Some surrounding roads were shut for yesterday's gathering which was attended by civic leaders and Tory MP Nigel Waterson.

They heard the Right Rev Mark Green, formerly the Bishop of Aston, urge people to pray for British troops serving in Iraq.

Mayor Olive Woodall stood in silence alongside fellow borough councillors and aldermen as the Last Post was played.

Coun Woodall went on to read Ephesians Chapter 6, Verses 10 to 17 before a hymn with music provided by the Eastbourne Citadel Salvation Army Band.

Major James Howe MBE, president of the Eastbourne Combined Ex-Services Association, read The Exhortation with its response: "We will remember them."

A two-minutes silence followed, with children of toddler-age joining Eastbourne's senior citizens in silently remembering the war dead.

Holly Markham, two, sat in her pushchair as she accompanied her grandfather, Bill, 58, at the war memorial.

Mr Markham, of Seaside, Eastbourne, said: "It's important for the young ones to appreciate what their elders did for their country."

The civic party moved to South Street where Coun Woodall took the salute. Parade commander John Butler brought the parade to order before it too passed into South Street to applause from members of the public.

A Festival of Remembrance concert was held last night at the Congress Theatre in Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, with music from the Eastbourne Silver Band.

And tomorrow Coun Woodall and other councillors will gather for a two-minute silence at 11am at the Arndale Centre in Terminus Road.

In Hastings, mayor Phil Scott joined dignitaries at the civic service at Alexandra Park before a Festival of Remembrance last night at the White Rock Theatre.