In Buxton's Remembrance Day service at the weekend, the town's rector and RAF veteran the Rev John Hudghton called for improved equipment and wages for soldiers fighting in war-torn countries like Afghanistan.

He compared pay between soldiers, MPs and bankers and said: "For a long time, servicemen and women, war widows and widowers have not been valued in terms of currency compared to the rest of society."

In front of record numbers at the Cenotaph on the Slopes, the Rev Hudghton said: "A soldier, who risks life and limb in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, gets initial pay of over £16,000. If he reaches the end of his career, he may earn over £28,000 – if he's lucky.

"MPs get annual salaries of £64,000 plus allowances.

"And looking on the internet, there were dozens of bankers' jobs advertised at between £500,000 to £600,000.

"Who do we really value?"

In Afghanistan, 232 British soldiers have died since operations began in 2001, and there have been concerns about the shortage of vital military equipment.

Rev Hudghton said: "According to the Bank of England's governor Mervyn King, bailing out the banks costs £1trillion.

"Yet we can't find the money for the helicopters the troops desperately need.

"Around £80million would buy ten Chinook helicopters – at £8million a piece – or to put it another way, four top bankers' pensions.

"It's not a lot of money in comparison – but they would save many lives.

"If we're going to send soldiers to war, the least we can do is equip them properly.

"For me it's a matter of justice and integrity, both of which are a part of my faith."

But High Peak MP Tom Levitt – who attended the Remembrance Day service in Glossop – attacked the comments and said: "Remembrance Day isn't a time for 'having a go' at MPs and bankers.

"Remembrance Day's an opportunity to think of people who serve the country in military operations, today and in the past.

"We thank them for their courage, professionalism and, too often, their sacrifice."

Mr Levitt added: "Through our soldiers' work in Afghanistan today, our streets are being protected against terrorism and heroin."