A WEST Dorset village which lost no soldiers in either world war is to hold a thanksgiving service this weekend.

Langton Herring near Weymouth is one of the few communities in Britain not to have lost any soldiers in either conflict – known as a ‘doubly thankful village.’ The phrase ‘thankful village’ was popularised by writer Arthur Mees in his 1933 encyclopaedia, The King’s England.

Langton Herring became Dorset’s only ‘thankful village’ following the First World War.

It became ‘doubly thankful’ after losing no service personnel in the Second World War and last year new road signs were installed at either end of the village to recognise this fact.

Langton Herring's 'Doubly Thankful Thanksgiving Service' in honour of those villagers who returned safely from the world wars will be held at the village church of St Peter's on Sunday, August 2 at 6pm.

There will be a thanksgiving tea in the village hall before the service from 4pm.

In 2013 the village was presented with a Welsh slate plaque recognising the village's unique status. It was dedicated and placed in a permanent position in St Peter’s Church porch, on August 3, 2014 and this year's service will be the first annual thanksgiving with the British Legion.