REMEMBRANCE Day in Petersfield will take on a special significance on Sunday.
Organised by the Petersfield branch of the Royal British Legion, East Hampshire District Council, Petersfield Town Council and St Peter's Church, the commemoration begins with a service at the Far East Memorial outside Petersfield town hall, in Heath Road, at 9.30am.
Focus will then shift to the Swan Street car park, where town mayor Vaughan Clarke will lead the town's annual act of remembrance. A procession, which will include servicemen and other uniformed organisations and youth groups, will depart from the car park at 10am.
They will join residents in Petersfield Square for an open-air remembrance service, starting at 10.15am. A two-minute silence will be observed at the war memorial in the High Street at 11am.
St Peter's Church's parish Eucharist has been brought forward to 9am and a matins service will be held in the church at 10.45am, incorporating a two-minute silence, again at 11am.
EHDC chairman Marge Harvey will host a civic lunch for the soldiers and their families after the service, and EHDC car parks will be free of charge on the day.
East Hampshire District Council leader Ferris Cowper, who initiated the involvement of REME, said: "This is a small way for us all to acknowledge the efforts made by our soldiers and the sacrifice made by their families. I hope the people of Petersfield will turn out to show their support."
Motorists are reminded that roads around The Square and High Street will be closed during the event.
n A remembrance service and parade takes place at the memorial outside The Triangle Centre in Liss on Sunday, starting at 10.30am.
A parade made up of Scouts, Guides, air cadets, Royal British Legion members and parish and district councillors will then march towards St Mary's Church in Station Road for a memorial service at 11am.