This year's Remembrance commemorations are to be co-ordinated by the county council, due to the pandemic.

The Oakham Branch of the Royal British Legion says the council will be responsible following a directive from its national body.

After a comprehensive national review of its activities, the Director General of The Royal British Legion wrote to all local authorities in May, asking them to assume the role of 'event organiser' and oversee the activities that take place to commemorate Remembrance Day each year.

David Smith, Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Oakham, said: "We are incredibly proud to have organised Rutland's annual Remembrance Day commemorations over many decades. Remembrance Day has a special place in the nation's heart, while members of the Armed Forces – past and present – regard it as their solemn duty to honour all those who have fought and died for their country.

"Following the directive that's been passed down by our national body, we will be handing overall responsibility for the organisation of local Remembrance events to Rutland County Council. However, we will still be heavily involved in the important planning that goes into making these events happen."

Armistice Day is commemorated every year on 11 November, marking the end of the First World War.

Oakham's Service of Remembrance is due to take place at All Saints Church on Remembrance Sunday (8 November), starting at 2.30pm. The service will take place outdoors with a reduced number of participants, so that proper social distancing can be observed.

Uppingham will also hold commemorations at the town's war memorial at 10.30am on Remembrance Sunday.

The small Act of Remembrance that has previously taken place outside Crown Walk, on Oakham High Street, is being moved a short distance to the grounds of Oakham Castle – again, to allow for social distancing – and will take place at 11.00am on Wednesday 11 November.

Coun Ian Razzell, Rutland County Council Armed Forces Champion and former Army Officer, said: "The Council has always supported the Armed Forces community and we are proud to be playing a greater role in coordinating Rutland's annual Remembrance commemorations, going forward.

"This year's commemorations will be unlike any other, because of the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19. We hope that commemorations can go ahead in something like the time-honoured way, so that we can remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

He added: "A much greater emphasis is being placed on safety, due to the pandemic. We will also need to take account of any changes to current government guidance or further restrictions that may come into effect."