WEYMOUTH'S annual Service of Remembrance is no longer cancelled and will go ahead at the Nothe Fort this Sunday.

As reported, on Monday Weymouth Town Council cancelled the invite-only service after new national lockdown restrictions were announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the weekend.

However the council said it has now received additional government guidance and is pleased to confirm the service can go ahead after all - although it will still not be open to the public.

The event will instead be live streamed via the internet to enable residents to participate and pay respects at home.

A council spokesman said: “We’re delighted to be able to mark Remembrance Sunday with a service, as originally planned. The safety of those attending is our top priority, and we will ensure social distancing and government guidelines are followed throughout.”

James Farquharson, chairman of Nothe Fort, said: "I'm so glad the service can go ahead and that some of our veterans will be able to attend.

"The Remembrance service is incredibly important. Underneath the tourist industry, Weymouth is still a military town, with many families having strong memories of loved ones who served and sacrificed."

Residents are invited to get involved and mark the occasion with a two-minute silence at home, or on their doorstep.

The service will be broadcast via Facebook between 10.45am and 11.30am on Sunday November 8.

To watch, visit www.facebook.com/events/362898254962990/

On Sunday there will also be a virtual online Remembrance service held by All Saints Church of Wyke Regis in Weymouth.

Churches are currently closed for services and the annual gathering at the Wyke Regis War Memorial has also been cancelled due to lockdown.

Instead, the church is inviting residents to join online by visiting www.WykeRegis.TV at 10.50am on Sunday November 8.

Over in west Dorset, Bridport's annual Remembrance Day Parade has also been cancelled.

Bridport Town Council announced last week that the parade would go ahead with social distancing restrictions in place, but with the announcement of the second lockdown from tomorrow, has been forced to cancel the event.

However, wreaths will still be laid and the union flag will be flown at the Town Hall.

Bridport town clerk Will Austin said: "We will ensure that wreaths from local groups can be laid; the union flag will fly at the Town Hall, and we are preparing a ‘virtual’ Remembrance video to be published online on Sunday morning on our website and across local social media channels.”

Residents can watch the video from Sunday morning by visiting www.bridport-tc.gov.uk