Coronavirus restrictions mean this year’s Remembrance Day assembly in Loughton has been cancelled, but residents can still pay their respects individually.

The Loughton Royal British Legion will lay wreaths at Kings Green Memorial privately on Sunday, November 8.

The following day, Loughton’s town mayor, Cllr Stella Murphy, will also attend to lay the Town's tribute.

A spokesperson for Loughton Town Council said: “Loughton's acts of remembrance will be very different this year owing to Covid-19 restrictions. They will be as sincere and heartfelt, but of course, a thousand people assembling at the Memorial on Kings Green, the parades and marching bands, and our usual corporate act of remembrance would be unlawful, as well as ill-advised with regard to community transmission of the virus.

“If, when paying your respects, please do so quietly and keep socially distanced from any other attendees. Kindly place wooden field of remembrance markers in the space which will be marked. We will ensure that the wreaths are secured on the War Memorial in case of windy weather.”

The town council has also arranged a display of cascading knitted poppies which can be found by the ‘There but not There’ Tommy soldier, at the entrance to Loughton Library, Traps Hill.

There will also be three arches erected and bedecked with knitted poppies on Kings Green to honour the fallen and to celebrate VE Day and VJ Day.