DELEGATES gathered for a special Sea Sunday service at All Saints Church in Wyke Regis.

The event was held on Sunday, July 21 to remember all those at sea and the men and women who help to protect them from danger.

The church was decorated with ships and lighthouses brought by members of the church, and pictures of the sea, fish, shells and seaweed were displayed on the pulpit.

The bishop’s chair was made seaworthy with hats and scarves knitted by members of the congregation for the Mission to Seafarers.

Poems chosen by members of the congregation were then read to the church.

A spokesman for All Saints Church said: “Members of the Merchant Navy, the Wrens and the Royal Navy joined the services in uniform and we were privileged to have four standard bearers join us, representing the Royal Naval Association, both Weymouth and Portland and Dorchester branches, HM Ajax and the Merchant Naval Association Weymouth and Portland branch.

“In the service, the standard bearers explained the stories of their standards.

“The choirs and the organists of both churches led everyone in singing lively sea hymns and collections were held for the Mission to Seafarers.

He added: “Although we celebrated Sea Sunday, we are all too aware that every day so many men and women on the sea protect us and help to provide us with the essentials of life and that there are many others who, for example in the RNLI and Coastguards, look after them.”