THE lives of those lost on the roads of Hampshire and Thames Valley will be commemorated at special services this weekend.

The Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit will be holding two memorial services to support the family and friends of those who have died as a result of collisions on the roads.

Both the services, which concurrently take place in Winchester and Thame this Sunday November 17, will be held to mark the United Nations Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Police are inviting families and friends to attend in remembrance of loved ones lost in road traffic collisions, alongside roads policing officers, fire and ambulance service personnel, local dignitaries and the Hampshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir.

Families who have attended previous services found the event extremely comforting and described them as “beautiful”.

The Winchester service, starting at 2.30pm at Christ Church, in Christchurch Road, will be led by force chaplain Reverend Dominic Jones and attended by Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney.

Superintendent Simon Dodds, Head of the Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Unit, said: “In 2018, 58 people sadly lost their lives on the roads of Hampshire and 79 people died on the roads of Thames Valley.

“It is so important to have this opportunity to support those affected by road death and to acknowledge the professionalism and courage demonstrated by the police, fire, ambulance and medical teams. These services will be truly special and we encourage anyone who has been affected by the loss of someone on our roads to join us.”

The Thames Valley service will be held at the same time at St Mary the Virgin Church, in Church Road, Thame.

To attend the Hampshire service, please email RDMS@hampshire.pnn.police.uk.