The British soldiers killed during the Falklands war have been remembered by Baroness Thatcher at a memorial service.

The former Conservative prime minister laid a single white rose during the ceremony, in Gosport, Hampshire, to mark the 20th anniversary of the end of the conflict.

Baroness Thatcher praised those who "fought heroically" to restore the Falklands' sovereignty and paid tribute to the 255 service men and women killed.

The Duke of York, a conflict veteran himself, attended a separate memorial ceremony at the Falklands Island Chapel in Pangbourne, Berkshire.

'Freedom'

In a written contribution to the service Baroness Thatcher said: "Though we gather here today to mark their achievement, we do not need physical monuments - in our hearts we shall never forget them."

Prince Andrew paying his respects in Berkshire

The peer, who has been told not to speak publicly by doctors, wrote: "This memorial reminds us of those who fought heroically so that others might regain their freedom, and it also reminds us of those who sadly did not return."

She received applause from onlookers at the town's Falklands Gardens and shook hands with several of them.

The service started with a parade of 250 veterans from all three armed services.

After Baroness Thatcher laid a flower in honour of the first serviceman killed, local schoolchildren placed another 254 at the memorial - one for each member of the British armed forces killed.

'Very touching'

Flowers were also laid by representatives of the Falkland Islands Government, in memory of the three civilian islanders lost.

It is important for us to remember all our mates, those who didn't come back

Colour Sergeant Marty Power

Sir Rex Hunt, former governor of the Falkland Islands, said: "Here in the Falkland Gardens, it is fitting to remember all the people in this country who made it possible to win a war waged 8,000 miles away."

The service ended with a procession of veterans, led by the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines and a contingent from navy training base HMS Sultant.

The ceremony was also attended by Ann Townsend, whose son Neil Grose, a private in the 3 Parachute regiment, was killed on his 18th birthday at Mount Longden.

She said: "It is very touching to see so many people come to remember those who died.

"I think it is important that we continue to remember what happened at the Falklands."

Marty Power, 53, who served as a Royal Marines Commando colour sergeant, said: "It is important for us to remember all our mates, those who didn't come back as well as meet again with those who we did serve with at the time."

'Fitting tribute'

Among those met by the Duke of York was Sara Jones, widow of Lieutenant Colonel H Jones, who was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for his part in the battle for Goose Green on 26 May,1982.

Mrs Jones, 60, of Salisbury, Wiltshire, said: "It's wonderful to be here on the 20th anniversary to pay this fitting tribute, with all the other families, to our loved ones."

Prince Andrew, who flew Navy helicopters in the war, laid a stone from his garden in Sunninghill Park, Surrey, next to the chapel in a gesture of remembrance.

It will be used, along with those left by other veterans and relatives, to build a memorial cairn - a Scottish Highlands tradition commemorating those who failed to return from battle.