PARADES and large gatherings at war memorials on Remembrance Sunday will be forbidden as ‘innovative’ new ways of commemoration are planned.

Bolton Council leader David Greenhalgh said the authority was committed to marking ‘the most important day in the civic calendar’ but a safety group including public health leaders and police said events could not go ahead as normal next month.

At a full council meeting the leader was asked a question on the issue by councillor David Evans.

He said: “I would anticipate many thousands in Bolton would like to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday but in doing so we must make sure this does not provoke a potential risk.

“What support and guidance can we expect from the council to ensure that these events take place so we can honour the fallen?”

Councillor Greenhalgh, said: “I recognise the huge importance of Remembrance Sunday and remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

“I acknowledge this is a key day for many, many people who will be extremely disappointed and frustrated that we are now having to discuss different ways in which we remember our fallen.

“The safety advisory group all agreed that the Sunday as normally they are held would not be safe at this point so we have a challenge of how then we commemorate.

“The advice was that there should be no parades or gatherings because of the number of cases in the borough and so we are going to write to all event planners to advise that their events cannot proceed as normal and encourage virtual ceremonies. We will also be promoting the fact that services can be held following distancing guidance in church.”

Mr Greenhalgh said that groups would be encouraged to engage in smaller ceremonies over a four day period.

He said: “We are also very much encouraging that wreaths will still be laid from those organisations that we know will want to pay their  respects.

“They can be laid between November 8 and 11 and where we can video the laying of those wreaths to produce a film that can then be used for commemoration which can be shared across numerous channels.

“Many groups will come forward and show innovation in the way they lay the wreaths and maybe say a few words which can be recorded .

“At my local war memorial in Dunscar we can have up to 3,000 people attend and that has been an incredibly emotional experience of people coming together to commemorate. But the reality is those 3,000 are packed in like sardines and unfortunately it just can’t happen this year.”

Mark Whittaker, 54, of Astley Bridge, has taken part annually in a parade from The British Legion club on Remembrance Sunday for decades.

He said: “It’s very disappointing but understandable. We normally walk up Belmont Road, and along Bar Lane and Blackburn Road to a church service.

“These are community events involving all ages from the veterans to dozens of young guides and scouts. It’s a real shame it won’t happen this year.”