A YOB ruined a Remembrance Sunday memorial service in honour of fallen servicemen by launching a firework into a crowd of war veterans during a two-minute silence.

Locals named Stuart Potts, 38, as the man who set off a "rocket" just after 11am in Eccles, Salford, as dozens of people paid their respects.

10 Stuart Potts has been named locally as the man who set off fireworks from an upstairs of a pub

10 Potts was arrested by police

10 Another squatter said they didn't know why Potts set off the fireworks

Mr Potts was filmed sitting on a roof and window ledge of the disused Albert Edward pub near the town cenotaph as residents shouting "get him out" hurled traffic cones at him.

Police later confirmed a 38-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.

Angry people in military dress tried to get into the building, with a cop blocking the door and pushing back servicemen.

A second man appeared to come to the window and spit down at the furious crowd, before the first man was eventually bundled into a police car by officers.

One man, who didn’t wish to be named, was at the service when the fireworks were set-off and described a scene of chaos.



'IT'S DISGUSTING'

He said: “They were just about to do the bugle call when I saw these fireworks coming from an upstairs window of the pub.

“There were about three or four rockets and they could easily have hit some of the veterans who were here.

“It was disgusting and showed a total lack of respect.

“The police arrived and they had to stop people trying to get into the pub.

"Ex-servicemen were trying to climb up and get through the widows and others were trying to smash their way through the doors.”

“There were a lot of angry people.”

Potts was reportedly squatting and above the front door of the derelict pub a sign was stuck on that reads "Potsy 1664".

An irate local wrote on social media: "How sad to see Remembrance Sunday service marred by a complete idiot."

"Then at 11am as people observed the two minute silence he lets off a rocket which exploded above the people gathered there.

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"Several servicemen tried to force their way into the pub and luckily the police stopped them, no doubt for their own safety.

"He was restrained and taken away by the police but the situation remains tense with police on guard outside the pub."

And a woman posted: "From those who fought in the world wars to those who fought like my dad and those still fighting today, for it to be completely ruined by people firing fireworks into the crowd showering members of the public with embers and sparks from the fireworks.

"Dogs have been left petrified and the Eccles community in shock, very disappointed and let down by people’s lack of respect and disregarded for people’s safety and feelings towards such a sentimental day."

A spokesperson for GMP said: "Initial enquiries suggest that a firework was thrown through the window of the pub.

"There are no reported injuries. Enquiries are ongoing."

Today the Queen shed a tear for Britain's war heroes at a Remembrance Sunday service today as Britain fell silent.

Her Majesty was joined by Kate Middleton on the balcony of the cenotaph in central London where she watched the traditional wreath-laying service.

Hundreds of armed forces personnel were also in attendance alongside Cabinet ministers, religious leaders and representatives of Commonwealth nations.

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A two minutes silence was observed at 11am - with its beginning and end marked by the firing of a gun by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

Buglers of the Royal Marines sounded the Last Post before wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph by the royals, politicians, foreign representatives and senior armed forces personnel.

Anyone with information on the incident in Eccles should call police on 101 quoting 1183 of 10/11/2019, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

10 Police led the man away after claims a firework was fired Credit: PA:Press Association

10 Angry locals threw a traffic cone up at the window at the man as he retreated Credit: MEN Media

10 The man appeared to have climbed out of a window and perched on a roof Credit: MEN

10 Irate locals gathered below as after the minute-silence was allegedly disrupted Credit: MEN

10 He appeared to be in a room over a closed pub in Eccles Credit: MEN

10 The Queen appears emotional at the service honouring the country's war heroes alongside Kate Middleton Credit: AP:Associated Press

10 Crowds gather at the cenotaph in London for the Remembrance Day service Credit: PA:Press Association