The thousands of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles have been honoured at a special service.

More than 700 soldiers were killed by paramilitaries during the military campaign which was known as Operation Banner.

During the 40 years of the Army's longest continuous campaign, over 300,000 servicemen and women were deployed.

The Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup joined veterans and their families at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, for the event.

Also among the congregation were Defence Secretary Des Browne, former premiers Baroness Thatcher and Tony Blair, leaders of the Opposition and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Operation Banner started in 1969 as sectarian violent unrest escalated and was formally ended at midnight on July 31 last year.

Dr Richard Chartres paid tribute to the Army's ability to "stand firm" until peace could be achieved.

He said: "They helped create conditions for the peace Northern Ireland now enjoys and today we salute their courage.

"It is in their honour and for all the people of Northern Ireland that all those committed to the province's future must work together to ensure a lasting peace.

"Operation Banner kept that vital part to which a more hopeful future for Ulster could enter."

The Prince of wales said: "The effects of the situation in the province have been felt by many people, both in the United Kingdom and beyond, and I can only too well imagine how shattering it has been for those who have lost loved ones during these difficult times, having myself experienced the loss of my great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, to a terrorist bomb in 1979."

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