Families in Dorset will pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives in conflicts at a special commemorative event tonight.

A Festival of Remembrance will take place at Weymouth Pavilion and is being organised by the Royal British Legion.

The theme of this year’s festival is passing the baton of remembrance on to younger generations.

RBL community fundraiser for Dorset Ian Jarvis said: “We want the public to start understanding remembrance is about all conflicts not just the First and Second World Wars.

“This year we have got batons which will pass through the generations at the festival and the age of the person receiving the baton will gradually go younger as the festival progresses.”

County RBL chairman Jerry Nunn will be the first to pass a commemorative baton at the event.

This will be the second year the festival is held at the Pavilion and it will follow a similar structure to the Albert Hall’s Festival of Remembrance, with live music and reflection and a poppy drop in the second half.

Mr Jarvis said: “For those who can’t travel or get to the Albert Hall, this will be a more localised event with equally fantastic performers.

“This is the biggest multi-talented festival of remembrance in Dorset. We have got a lot of local talent including two local schools performing.”

This year visitors can expect to see performances from The Decadettes, the Bovington Military Wives Choir, Bournemouth Youth Marching Band and the Weymouth Concert Brass. As well as performances from Let’s Dance, St Osmund’s School Players and the St John’s School Choir.

The event comes after the launch of the county’s poppy appeal, which took place on Wednesday at Corfe Castle. The launch event saw troops from Bovington Camp arrive at the castle in poppy covered cars and members of the Bovington Military Wives Choir travel to the castle by steam train before singing a set of inspiring songs.

The Festival of Remembrance will take place tomorrow (29) and will begin at 6.30pm and finish at 9.30pm. Doors will open at 6pm. Tickets to the event cost £11.50 per ticket. Those travelling to the event by car will be able to park in the car park behind the pavilion, which is free after 6pm, depending on spaces.