Plans for Remembrance Sunday’s commemoration in Bicester have been changed following the Government’s lockdown announcement.

The service of remembrance will still be broadcast live from St Edburg’s Church, but there will now be no one in attendance.

Instead, civic and military dignitaries will take part in the service online via Zoom.

There will be readings by the Mayor’s Cadet Joe Ottaway, Lt Col Alex Atherton, the Commanding Officer of Bicester Garrison, and Miranda Markham the Oxfordshire Deputy Lieutenant.

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The Exultation and Kohima will be read by Brian Leach, the Chairman of the Royal British Legion Bicester branch.

Residents are being urged to watch the service online, which starts at 10.45am, and then at 11am stand on their doorstep or in their front gardens to mark two minutes’ silence. Afterwards the service will continue.

Mayor Councillor Jason Slaymaker said: “I would like to thank the church and town council staff for adapting the plans for Sunday so quickly. They have been able to rearrange the entire service with less than a week to go, so we can ensure Bicester’s Service of Remembrance will still go ahead.

“No one expected this new lockdown would happen with such urgency, but thankfully, the virtual world means we can stay safe and all still take part in this important annual event. I would urge as many people as possible to join us online so we can together pay our respects to the service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.”