PEOPLE in West Lavington are being invited to line the village streets tomorrow (Thursday) in tribute to Jim Hodges, who died recently and whose private funeral is being held in the morning.

Mr Hodges, of Duck Street, worked for many years as a teacher at Dauntsey School, and after retirement was still active in the school community.

He and his wife Janet were also involved in many Lavington organisations and charities, with Jim spending many years producing the News and Views parish newsletter.

Because of lockdown, the Hodges family are only able to hold a small private burial service at All Saints burial ground, so it has been decided that the hearse will be driven around the village so people can pay their last tributes.

"Jim was known and loved by so many people, the church would have been packed for his funeral," said parish council chairman and neighbour Sandra Gamble.

"The family intend to hold a memorial service when possible, but we thought this would be a nice way for people to be able to show the respect Jim was held in."

Locals who wish to pay their respects are asked to make sure to obey the two-metre social distancing rules.

Leaving from Devizes, the hearse will proceed down West Lavington High Street, past White Street and will continue to opposite Rickbarton, where it will turn left, up Rutts Lane, and come down Stibb Hill and along Duck Street, where it will turn right back onto the High Street and will turn left into White Street and stop outside the burial ground.

Those standing at White Street are asked that as soon as the hearse passes, they disperse as quickly as possible, to enable the private funeral to commence.

"The burial service starts at 11.30am, so the suggestion is that you line the route from 11.10am-10.15am, depending on where you want to stand, but the timetable may prove fluid so please be earlier than late and observe social distancing rules at all times," Mrs Gamble added.