A SPECIAL ceremony has been held to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion.

Geoff Page, president of the Middlewich branch of the RBL and Ken Kingston, chairman, each placed a wreath at the town's war memorial on Saturday.

Representatives of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force and Merchant Navy laid wreaths at 9am on Sunday to replicate the same actions at the exact moment the charity was formed a century ago with the laying of wreaths at Whitehall in London.

Ken Kingston said: "At that moment, the four organisations united to become the British Legion. Founded by and for Armed Forces personnel. Its constitution was proposed by a soldier and seconded by a general. There would be no distinction between rank, religion or political affiliation.

"In the future, the Royal British Legion dedicated to its mission of creating better futures for those who have served and their families."

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The ceremony at the Cenotaph was led by retired Lieutenant General James Bashall, national president of the RBL.

The Prince of Wales praised the charity for the unwavering support it provides the Armed Forces.

Prince Charles said: "There are few organisations which hold a place at the heart of society in the way the Royal British Legion does.

"For 100 years, the Royal British Legion has been a constant, through the annual Poppy Appeal, leading the nation in remembrance and providing a life-long commitment to every veteran and their families.

"Therefore, I wanted, above all, to offer my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all those who have helped build this wonderful organisation we know today, and to all those who will be part of its future."