Community invited to join Covid-19 memorial events

Councillors will place a yellow ribbon tribute on each of the borough's 15 Covid-19 memorial benches

Communities in an area of Surrey are being encouraged to take part in a series of Covid-19 memorial events to mark five years since the pandemic began.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has invited residents to sign a book of remembrance at Epsom Town Hall and Bourne Hall in Ewell, where people can also light a candle to remember a loved one.

On Sunday, the Epsom Clock Tower will illuminate yellow and councillors will place a yellow ribbon tribute on each of the borough's 15 Covid-19 memorial benches as part of the national day of reflection.

The council said residents were invited to "remember and reflect in any way that is meaningful to them, to pay tribute to those who worked, volunteered and showed acts of kindness during this unprecedented time, and remember those we lost".

The national day of reflection marks five years since the pandemic began and is supported by the government and end-of-life charity Marie Curie.

Jackie King, the council's chief executive, said: "The pandemic continues to cause a range of conflicting emotions.

"This was a challenging time for many, yet it also brought out the very best in people as our community worked together to help one another."