The opening of Swindon’s Field of Remembrance had to be postponed on Friday – but it’s not clear why and could be the result of a "misunderstanding".

The Royal British Legion, which organises the memorial at Lydiard Park, said it had been informed it would not be able to open to the public as planned on Friday at 1pm as “Swindon Gold Command have not been able to approve our risk assessment for general opening to the public”.

A spokesman said it was hoped the Field of Remembrance would open to the public by Remembrance Sunday – November 8 – at the latest.

However, the RBL’s statement caused some confusion at Swindon Borough Council, which no longer operates the “Gold” command model.

A spokesman for the council said: “The council does not recognise the situation as it has been described. It seems a misunderstanding may have transpired – we are investigating.”