Doubts have been raised over whether Longtown will be able to hold Remembrance Day events.

The Sunday service at the town’s war memorial usually attracts more than 100 people.

Coronavirus regulations have already meant that Victory in Japan Day commemorations in August could not go ahead in Carlisle.

At an online Arthuret Parish Council meeting last week Karen Johnson, parish clerk, gave an update on progress about the event.

She said: “The Royal British Legion guidance says that they are not going to be taking any decisions until early Autumn depending on how the Covid-19 pandemic progresses.

“We can’t really make any plans and we don’t know if any services are going to be going ahead.

“Usually, by now we have to have everything in place and we only have one council meeting before then so we are going to have to see how things progress.”

At the meeting repairs were also discussed to the Royal British Legion ‘Tommy’ silhouette figure, which is situated on the traffic island on the A7.

He had been damaged by the wind last year and councillors are looking to get him repaired ahead of November.

Tony Parrini, branch secretary of the Carlisle and Stanwix Branch of the Royal British Legion, who did not attend the meeting, said it was up to individual parishes to organise socially distanced events but many across the country were unlikely to go ahead.

He added: “We are all upset about it but then just grasp our hands and say they aren’t going to happen.”

The Royal British Legion wrote to councils all over the country earlier this year stating its view.

A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said: “Since Covid-19 measures first came into effect, we have instructed branches that all activity undertaken by our members must be conducted in accordance with restrictions.

“We are encouraging our branches and members to continue supporting local Remembrance services and parades that follow government guidelines and only where social distancing measures can be fully adhered to.

“Local remembrance services and parades are civic functions that are attended and supported by The Royal British Legion, and whilst we are happy to be consulted and provide assistance to organisers, the legion is not responsible for, nor takes decisions, regarding the delivery of these events. In August the legion was unable to parade in Carlisle to mark Victory in Japan Day because of Covid-19.

At the time Tony said: “It is such a sad situation but we appreciate it’s because of the coronavirus measures.”

The New & Star had tried to contact the local Parish of Saint Michael and All Angels but had been unable to do so before publication.