STANDARD bearers and local dignitaries attended the opening of Newport’s garden of remembrance at the city’s cenotaph.

Newport mayor Noel Trigg, and his wife Valerie, were among those who gathered at the cenotaph yesterday to place crosses in memory of those who gave their lives in conflicts across the world.

Ieuan Payne, eight, was there with his mum, Anne-Marie Payne, to remember his grandfather, Roy Charlton, who died in May 2006.

He said: “I think the garden’s really good because it helps us to remember people like my grandad.”

Mr Charlton, originally from Northumberland, served his national service in the Royal Artillery before settling in Newport.

Mrs Payne, standard bearer for the women’s section of Newport’s Royal British Legion, said: “If it wasn’t for those who died in conflict, not just in first world war, we wouldn’t have the life we have now. It’s important that the youth are brought into it so the next generation can carry it on.”

Newport city councillors Ken Critchley, Bob Bright, Bill Langsford and council leader Matthew Evans, joined standard bearers from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the Royal Regiment of Wales, both the women’s and men’s Royal British Legion branches and representatives from the Royal Navy.