Twenty-four homeless children from the Victorian era have been remembered in a moving ceremony in Saltash.

The boys all died between 1877 and 1901 while serving on the TS Mount Edgcumbe, a training ship for homeless boys moored on the River Tamar.

Their original tombstone had fallen to the ground in St Stephen’s churchyard and has now been re-erected.

Following a rededication service conducted by the Rev Bob Munro, Mayor Hilary Frank laid a wreath in memory of the boys, watched by standard-bearers from the Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion, members of Saltash Heritage and town councillors.

Mrs Frank said the service had been particularly moving.