REMEMBRANCE Day is just a few weeks away, but events acros the county have been cancelled due to coronavirus.

Despite this, a district councillor and armed forces veteran is calling on residents to continue to mark the day in a coronavirus-safe way.

Cllr Martin Allen, who represents Hanley and Upton for Malvern Hills District Council, served in the Royal Navy and is the council’s current armed forces champion.

He has called for the public to carry out a similar commemoration to this year;s clap for carers, which recognised the work of health workers.

He said: "Due to the situation with Covid, it is not going to be possible for large gatherings to remember the great sacrifice by so many.

"I am calling upon residents on the 11th hour of the 11th day in November to stand on their doorsteps for two minutes in silence to honour those who died for us.

"We went out for our NHS, let’s do this for our heroes. We must not forget them."

Cllr Allen added the Royal British Legion had cancelled its major events including the march past the cenotaph, due to the rule of six.

However, events held in churchyards are still able to allow up to 30 people.

The Royal British Legion has published a list of alternatives to traditional remembrance day events.

These include holding remembrance services in the back garden, creating a remembrance garden, setting up a Zoom video remembrance service or creating pieces of remembrance art to commemorate the day.

A spokesman said: "As a result of Covid-19 restrictions, it may be necessary for individuals and communities to consider new ways of performing Remembrance activities, whether at Remembrancetide or any other time of the year.

"To give you a helping hand, we've put together a wide-range of suggested Covid safe activities that are inexpensive to create.

"Despite the changes this year, we are encouraging people across the nations to ensure Remembrance Sunday is still marked appropriately by taking part in remote and socially distanced Remembrance activity, whether that be watching the service on television or pausing for the Two Minute Silence in their home or on their doorsteps."

Due to the coronavirus crisis, the Poppy Appeal is still continuing, although many poppy sellers cannot take part due to isolation.

Because of this, the legion is asking people to buy poppies online for themselves or their neighbours to ensure their fundraising work can continue.