CREWE'S Remembrance Sunday service will go ahead on November 8 - but with restrictions on wreath laying and those attending.

Covid-19 restrictions have hit large public gatherings marking major events in the calendar and Remembrance services are no different.

Members of The Royal British Legion, military personnel and emergency services will be laying wreaths on the day, but the number of people who will be allowed to attend Memorial Square will be strictly limited.

Businesses, schools and community groups are being given the option of having a wreath laid on their behalf.

Crewe Town Council and The Royal British Legion have announced they are formalising the arrangements for what they say will be a "significantly different Remembrance Sunday" service for 2020.

Cllr Benn Minshall, Mayor of Crewe, said: "Remembrance Sunday in Crewe is regarded as one of the largest events of its kind in the wider area and rightly so.

"In normal times, we would have a big parade with the likes of Crewe Brass Band, uniformed cadets, Scout groups and thousands of people on the square.

"Unfortunately, we are not in normal times and this year is going to be a significantly different Remembrance Sunday, similar to the VE Day and VJ Day anniversaries earlier this year."

There will be a small civic party attended by a limited number of attendees, in accordance with formal government guidance, while members of The Royal British Legion, servicemen and emergency services staff will be invited to lay wreaths.

Cllr Minshall added "We are making the public aware that there is a national Doorstep Remembrance Campaign for 2020. As much as we would love for the town to come together on Memorial Square we are strongly encouraging as many people as possible to take part in that.

"That will take place on Sunday, November 8 at 11am so we can have something on a much wider scale which Crewe will not have seen before."

Crewe Town Council is arranging for anyone who is not formally on the guest list to have a wreath laid on their behalf.

They can purchase a wreath and deliver it to the council offices at 1 Chantry Court in Forge Street (behind Crewe Lifestyle Centre).

Or they can make a request via the council's website for a wreath to be laid in their name no later than 2pm on Thursday, November 5.

Any wreaths which have been received by Crewe Town Council will be placed on the War Memorial during the morning of Remembrance Sunday and names read out to note their commemoration.