Remembrance Sunday was held virtually in Barrow this year as people were encouraged to observe a two-minute silence from their doorstop in light of the coronavirus pandemic and national lockdown.

The traditional parade towards the Cenotaph in Barrow Park, which takes place every year on Remembrance Sunday, followed by a service and wreath laying ceremony could not go ahead this year.

But instead a pre-recorded video was shown on the Barrow Borough Council’s YouTube channel to allow people to pay their respects from home.

This did not stop over 100 Barrovians from turning up at Barrow’s cenotaph at 11am to pay their respects during Remembrance Sunday, which takes place on the second Sunday in November every year to remember those who died in all wars.

Rachel Wilson said: “I find it hard as you can have weddings with people and you can go to a funeral, so why does this day have to be so different?”

Another visitor to the cenotaph said: “It feels so unreal without the march and without the speeches but it was nice to see so many younger people here to show their respect.”

Two of those youngsters were Grace and Joseph Ducie who had brought along a Remembrance Day project that Joseph had created at Vickerstown Cubs.

Barrow Mayor Cllr Kevin Hamilton could be seen laying a wreath at the war memorial on Barrow Borough Council's pre-recorded video, he said: “The parade and laying of wreaths at the war memorial on Remembrance Sunday is always very well supported in Barrow. It is something that brings people together and unites our communities in their commemoration of those who have sacrificed their lives to secure freedom for all.”

Individual representatives of local organisations were invited to lay a wreath at the War Memorial at a convenient time throughout the day, from 11am onwards.

Barrow Town Hall clock has been lit up in red since Friday to mark the Remembrance weekend.

Cllr Hamilton said: “Though we will be apart this year, we stand together in remembrance in Barrow.

“Look after each other and stay safe during the lockdown – to protect the most vulnerable among us and our NHS – and so that life can return to normal as soon as possible in the near future.”