Gloucester's annual Service of Remembrance at the city's war memorial will not be held this year with people being encouraged to mark the occasion at home.

With coronavirus restrictions ruling out the customary Remembrance Sunday commemorations on November 8, the city's mayor Councillor Kate Haigh will pay her respects at the cemeteries in Tredworth Road.

She will be joined by representatives of the Royal British Legion, City Marshall, Sword Bearer and council leader Councillor Richard Cook.

The civic party will attend a private service at the Hussar's Memorial Service on College Green before joining other council representatives and Richard Graham MP for a socially-distanced ceremony at Gloucester Cathedral which will be live streamed at gloucestercathedral.org.uk

People are encouraged to mark the day with a two-minute silence on their doorstep at 11am.

Councillor Haigh, said: "I know how important Remembrance Day is but this year we are having to do things differently and safely.

"I hope people will find other ways to remember the huge sacrifices our service personnel make for our country and urge everyone to make sure they still support the poppy appeal, which gives vital support to the armed forces community. We stand together to remember the fallen."

The Royal British Legion is suggesting people can hold a small service in their garden or help children to create artwork to display in their windows, while anyone who wants to lay their own wreath can visit a war memorial in the city.

The Legion's Gloucester president Garry Mills said: "I'd like to thank the public in Gloucester for their unwavering support of the armed services community.

"Over the years they have worked tirelessly to make sure the sacrifices made have not been forgotten. We recognise that this year, circumstances are different and I encourage everyone to stop at 11am for a few moments on both Remembrance Day and Armistice Day, to recognise the sacrifices that people have made to protect the freedoms that we all take for granted.

"I would also urge people to please support the poppy appeal."