VICTORY in Europe Day will be celebrated in a different way in Ledbury tomorrow as residents are in lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A church in Ledbury will open its doors via the internet to hold virtual services over the weekend, for members of the community who wish to participate.

St Michael and All Angels Church will be hosting the virtual services for the community to participate in under lockdown at 3pm and 10am on Sunday, May 10

A spokesman for Ledbury Town Council said: “We are asking residents do what the rest of the nation is doing and raise a glass from the safety of their own homes.

“We had planned a street party but the health of the community is more important at the current time and we need to keep self isolating.

“If the Government lift the restrictions, there is a possibility of having the VE Day public gathering celebration in August, but we will need to wait and see what the Government’s position is nearer the time.”

Ledbury town mayor, Councillor Phillip Howells, who has served as a commissioned officer in the Army, said: “The day is important to mark the fallen but at the moment, we need to remember NHS staff and other frontline workers who have given their lives in an equal way to help their county and they need to be remembered as well.

“So, although the day will be spent in celebration of the end of World War Two but it will be a sombre day too, in remembrance of front line workers at the moment who are at war, fighting a hard battle each and every day just like soldiers.”

The government’s advice to the country is for everyone to adhere to the social restrictions and remember the war heroes from their homes.

Links for the church services will become active when they are about to begin. To join the services, visit: ledburyparishchurch.org.uk