National Memorial Arboretum marks Remembrance Sunday

The service took place in front of the Armed Forces Memorial which commemorates those who have been killed on duty or as a result of terrorism

Veterans have joined a radically scaled-down Remembrance Sunday service at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Previous years' events have seen thousands gather at the site in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

This year, against the backdrop of lockdown measures, 200 people gathered for a socially distanced service, while thousands more watched a virtual service broadcast on social media.

Colonel Jack Stenhouse said it was "essential" to keep up the tradition of remembering those who "gave much for their country"

Among the pre-booked visitors at the arboretum was Darren Burton, a former Lance Corporal with the Royal Pioneer Corps who had been due to march past the Cenotaph in London before lockdown restrictions were introduced.

He said he had wanted to attend to "to show our respects as best we can".

About 200 visitors were allowed to attend the socially distanced service

Drawing parallels between the fight against Covid-19 and armed conflicts, the arboretum's honorary chaplain Rev Vic Van Den Bergh said all such struggles "take lives".

"There is an obvious parallel between past conflicts and today's pandemic," he said.

The National Memorial Arboretum remains open during the latest lockdown restrictions, but visitors are required to pre-book

"In both we find those who serve, putting their lives on the line for others and those trying to stay safe at home while still doing their bit," he added

"The parallel continues, for all conflicts take life, military and civilian in armed conflict, and in the situation before us - NHS, care home staff, carers and so many others."

The National Memorial Arboretum features more than 360 separate memorials, many dedicated to those who died serving the country