TAUNTON prepares to pay tribute to its heroic war dead over the coming days.

The programme for the annual Remembrance commemorations begins today (Thursday, November 9).

The events start with the dedication of the Field of Remembrance in Taunton Minster churchyard from 10.50am this morning.

Following the service, Taunton Town Council officials will sign the Armed Forces Covenant and the Poppy Of Honour War Memorial.

Then on Saturday (November 11), the Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Nick O’Donnell will lead a two-minute silence in the town centre from 10.55am to mark Armistice Day.

On Remembrance Sunday (November 12), a service led by the Rev Jamie Fox and the Rev Louise Bale will be held at Taunton Minster from 9.30am. It will be livestreamed via the Minster’s website.

Following the service, a parade of veterans, scouts, guides and cadets will march through the town, where a civic party will take the salute at 10.30am on the steps of the Old Municipal Buildings, in Corporation Street.

The civic party will then process into Vivary Park, where the Service of Remembrance and wreath placing ceremony will take place in front of the war memorial at 11am. It will be lives streamed on the Taunton Town Council's Facebook page.

Temporary rolling road closures will be in place throughout the commemorations.

Whirligig Lane Car Park will be closed from 6pm on Saturday, (November 11) until approximately 12.30pm on Sunday (November 12) to enable the parade route to be free for the civic service procession and the marching parade.

Members of the public wishing to commemorate Remembrance are welcome to attend the events, as well as purchasing poppies from a temporary poppy shop at Taunton Minster.

The poppy shop will be open daily between 9.30am and 3pm until Saturday, November 11, excluding Sundays when it will have a presence on Fore Street.

Alternatively, poppies can be ordered online at poppyshop.org.uk