The annual Remembrance Day parade and service at the town centre cenotaph has been cancelled.

A statement released by the Swindon branch of the Royal British Legion confirmed no official event would be taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic but added people were welcome to lay their own wreaths at the site.

The charity said: “For the first time there will be no service/ex-services or cadets march past taking place, or RBL and other organisations standards carried or on display, so please do not gather in the usual places as nothing is going to happen.

“There will be no Royal British Legion presence at the Cenotaph on that day or on Wednesday November 11 at 11am.

“Again, it remains entirely a matter for individuals if they wish to lay a personal poppy wreath or crosses on that day.”

The RBL is still encouraging members of the public to hold a two-minute silence on the day.

The garden of remembrance at the Cenotaph will open on October 24 for the public to lay wreaths and crosses but there will be no formal opening ceremony.

And when it comes to the annual Poppy Appeal, the Swindon branch will not be taking part.

The statement added: “There will be no formal poppy appeal in Swindon this year due to the Coronavirus epidemic and because the Swindon Royal British Legion has no premises since the Pop in Centre closed last December

“We are led to believe that some of the major supermarkets in Swindon will acquire stock direct from the RBL.” Supporters can order direct from britishlegion.org.uk