THE community will come together to pay respect to the fallen heroes who gave their lives for their country.

Hundreds of people are expected to flock to Bridport town centre for its annual Remembrance Sunday parade and service next week.

The parade will start at East Street at about 10.40am and will be followed by an inspection by the town’s mayor, Cllr Anne Rickard.

The Wessex Military Band will once again lead the parade, which will include representatives from the town’s uniformed organisations.

This will be followed by a ceremony at the town’s war memorial and a service at St Mary’s Church. A small reflection will then be held at Bucky Doo Square. 

At about midday, a film featuring the stories of young veterans will show at the Palace Theatre. 

It is hoped that in the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday, the town will become awash with red poppies.

Bridport’s firefighters are backing this year’s Poppy Appeal and are selling large poppies that they will place on lampposts across the town as a mark of respect. 

Poppies have been placed on the front of Bridport’s fire engines and firefighters hope to get as many people as possible on board with the campaign. 

Fire station officer Nick Courtice, who is behind the idea, said: “It’s going really well so far and we’ve sold quite a lot. We will start putting the first lot up on Friday and people will be able to get them from us all of next week.”

Richard Cunningham, the Royal British Legion's fundraiser for Bridport, said: “The firefighters came to us and told us they wanted to do this and we are delighted. 

“The Poppy Appeal and the parade are always very well-supported here in Bridport and we hope when people see the fire engines they will be encouraged even more so to get involved.”

Firefighters will again be selling poppies this Saturday while out and about in the town centre. 

You can also pop into the station, on Sea Road South, on Monday evening to pick up a poppy.