Despite coronavirus restrictions, there will be a Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Shepton Mallet this year, though there will not be a parade or church service.

The Shepton Mallet branch of the Royal British Legion held their annual meeting this week, and the plans for Remembrance Sunday were put in place.

The rule of six will apply to the ceremony, so only two wreaths will be laid - one by the chairman of Shepton Mallet Town Council and one by the president of the Shepton Legion.

Jan Crewe, from the town's Royal British Legion branch, told Shepton Mallet Nub News: "The Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Day will go ahead this year but much reduced.

"We will not be having a shop this year, but hoping to have a market stall at the Friday Market from next week.

"On Remembrance Sunday there will be a formal event. It is a town event and the town council leads the event - the rule of six will apply.

"This means that officially six people will be present at the Cenotaph. Other people and associations who would normally lay a wreath will be encouraged to lay their wreaths at different times throughout the day.

"There will be a PA system for the Last Post, and although there will be no church service on the day, the church bells will be rung prior to the two minutes' silence."

A Garden of Remembrance will be in place at the parish church and at the Cenotaph. Residents are being encouraged to either obtain a wooden cross from the poppy stall in the market or make their own and place in the garden.

The Silent Soldier will be at the Cenotaph and the town will have its poppies to decorate the church, Market Cross and Cenotaph.

Jan said: "Although the official ceremony will be small, and without a parade, we cannot be responsible if local residents arrive to give support, but we would encourage social distancing and the wearing of masks.

"On Armistice Day there is nothing official arranged. The general consensus of opinion was that there will be a lot of dog walkers at the Cenotaph at 11am on November 11, social distancing and wearing masks.

"Merchandise is being sent from the Royal British Legion to the major supermarkets and banks, so Tesco and Lloyds will be selling poppies. This is in addition to, hopefully, our stall in the market.

"We are feeling the changes keenly as this year we were going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our Cenotaph. All the plans have had to be shelved - maybe next year."