A CEREMONY marking the anniversary of a shipwreck off Dunbar was halted temporarily at the weekend to pay tribute to the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks the night before.

Historic re-enactors gathered in the town on Saturday alongside Dunbar Sea Cadets, the Harbour Trust and RNLI to remember the soldiers who died when the frigate HMS Fox ran aground off the coast.

Following news of the horrific attacks in Paris the previous evening, they held a minute’s silence during the proceedings in honour of all those affected.

A spokesman for Alan Breck’s Prestonpans Volunteer Regiment said: “After a procession through the town from the war memorial to the harbour, prayers were offered in memory of those lost in the tragedy and for safety upon the seas. Our sailors then took a wreath out to the site of the wreck and laid it at sea, whilst the Guard occupied the Lamer Island Battery.

"During this very fitting and poignant commemoration, a minute’s silence was also held in honour of the people of France and those who lost their lives so tragically this weekend.”

HMS Fox ran aground on November 14, 1745, just two months after those onboard had fought in the Battle of Prestonpans.

Only nine sailors survived, with as many as 200 believed to have perished in the sea.

The RevAndrew Bain of St Anne’s Church joined the parade which marched to a simple drum beat to the harbour. The sailors then boarded Dunbar’s lifeboat and headed out to the spot where the ship is believed to have gone down.

The wreath was cast out to sea as muskets fired in salute from the battery.

Arran Johnston, chairman of the Alan Breck’s Regiment who initiated the event, felt the event was a fitting memorial: “Our hope was to raise awareness of this little-known tragedy and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on HMS Fox in a time of civil war and national crisis. Saturday’s event was very moving and the regiment is grateful to the Sea Cadets, the Harbour Trust and of course the wonderful lifeboat crew for making it all happen.