DESPITE Weymouth's famous annual parade to celebrate the armed forces not going ahead this year,local residents pulled together to organise a fitting to tribute to all past and present armed forces members.

Weymouth resident Mark Ford, who is head coach at Weymouth Boxing Club, decided to organise a remembrance service at the memorial on The Esplanade.

He said: "Normally on Armed Forces Weekend there would be a parade with 4,000 visitors. People come from miles away to come to the parade. I have friends I served with come down down and we spend the weekend together and we march together.

"With that obviously not happening, I thought it would be a good idea to do something about it. People were amazing pulling it together."

Andy Price, director of the Veterans Hub in Weymouth, helped organise the event. He said the event helped local veterans reconnect with each other, after many have been isolated through the lockdown period.

"The importance of us doing this can not be overstated," he said. "A lot of people are very fearful of coming outside and some are very alone right now, so bringing them to this and reminding them that they are a part of a community and seeing them speak to people again is amazing for them and for their mental health.

"Dorset has a strong military connection and Armed Forces Day would usually see thousands of people attend events, parades and processions in celebration and support of the men and women who make up the British Armed Forces, past and present.

"Thanks to everyone who turned up and made this work. It genuinely was a poignant and appropriate service during incredibly tough times that reminded us all of what it is to be part of something that is bigger than ourselves."

Stewards helped people keep social distancing and there was a section for hand sanitiser, gloves and masks.

Cllr Christine James, the town's armed forces champion, liaised with the local authority and police and organised for PPE to be in place.

The Nothe Fort also got involved, with a cannon being fired from the terrace to start a two-minute silence and a bugler played The Last Post.

Weymouth Mayor, Cllr Graham Winter, said in a video message on social media: "I'm here to express deep regret that the Town Council can't host the Armed Forces parade this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, when obviously social distancing is a real priority.

"It's a real shame because we have had this event happening in Weymouth for 25 years, this would have been our 26th year, and a lot of people come especially to see the parade and recognise the link we have had with military over the year.

"We also get help from the Ministry of Defence as well and this is why we have it a week earlier than the national celebration

"We expect, or we would have expected, over 40,000 visitors so it's a major event for Weymouth and we usually have something like 2,000 people marching. This is current serving military personnel, veterans, local organisations, cadets and so on, culminating in a parade of 80 historic military vehicles - quite a spectacular event.

"However, this will happen next year, where we hope to have a magnificent event.

"Meanwhile, stay safe, look after each other."