War veterans and community members have taken part in the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women's annual parade.

More than 1,000 attended Sunday's parade and service at the Cenotaph, in central London, despite concern numbers might be low because of bad weather.

Lord Sterling, the Ajex president, paid tribute to the members of the forces who fought at the Somme, a pivotal First World War battle which ended 100 years ago this week, on November 18 1916.

He said: "It is with great pride that we hold this annual ceremony of remembrance to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to the Crown."

He also praised the Allied troops who fought and fell in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.

An Ajex spokesperson noted that the parade had attracted increased support from ex-servicemen and women's families and communal groups in recent years.

Groups from Jewish schools JFS and Yavneh Academy joined the march, as well as 150 volunteers from the Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade.

Lord Sterling said: "We have a job to do. Ten years from now many of us will not be here.

"We have a responsibility that in 20 to 50 years, Jewish communities everywhere carry on honouring what we have done and continue to do."

He said it was important for Jewish servicemen and women to look out for other minorities within the forces.

Speaking about concerns over rising intolerance around the world, he said: "It is not going to get better; it is going to get worse."

The service was led by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Rabbi Reuben Livingstone, the Principal Jewish Chaplain to HM Forces.

Speaking at the reception following the parade, Rabbi Mirvis said: "In every circumstance war is a tragedy. But it is our duty to protect everything that we stand for.

"And I'm proud of our Jewish servicemen and women who have fought so that we can live in peace, and so that we can live, in the first place."

He added: "I was heartened today to see Whitehall closed for the Jewish community, a week after Remembrance Sunday, for us to march and say we are proud to stand up for our country.

"It's more important than ever that our young people are here today to take part and see that."