A TOWN bandstand has once again been covered with a collection of giant red poppies for remembrance.

Following the success of last year's remembrance celebration in Eastleigh, the bandstand at Leigh Road Recreation Ground is set to be covered top to bottom again in poppies.

Eastleigh Borough Council and the Royal British Legion will be decorating the landmark leading up to Armistice and Remembrance Day after Chilworth Women’s Institute (WI) with support from other WI’s in the area have already placed hundreds of poppies on the bandstand.

The scheme was set up last year as a way residents could still take part in remembrance commemorations despite Covid-19 restrictions at the time.

Now, this year residents, groups and organisations are being urged to help turn the Bandstand red with poppies to provide what is being described as "a very visual show of support".

The bandstand is just a few metres away from the War Memorial and hosts the band and the bugler who plays the last post as part of the ceremony.

The Council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Tonia Craig said: "In this way, we can, as a community, come together to show our support in a very visual way to honour the sacrifices that our armed forces and civilians have made."

Services will be taking place throughout the borough on November 14 and Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr Cynthia Garton will be attending the morning service at the War Memorial whilst Deputy Mayor Cllr Adam Manning will be attending the morning service at St Edwards Church, Netley Abbey.

The Mayor will attend the service at the Military Cemetery, Royal Victoria Country Park at 3pm in the afternoon.

A two-minutes silence will take place at 11am on November 11 at the war memorial and this year the event is open to all, after numbers were restricted last year due to restrictions.