A WAR veteran will honour fallen comrades at Sunday’s Remembrance service thanks to a kind-hearted move from a council leader who has stepped aside.

This year only a group of six are allowed to gather to pay respects at Basildon’s St Martin’s Church for Remembrance Sunday, as strict social distancing restrictions are in place.

But council leader Gavin Callaghan has now given his place to a war veteran from the Royal British Legion.

The guest will join the Mayor of Basildon, a vicar, and representatives from the armed forces, as part of the small group.

The move has been widely praised across Basildon, as there were no plans for a veteran to attend the service.

It has not yet been decided which veteran from the Basildon and Laindon Royal British Legion will be attending the service.

Mr Callaghan said: “Remembrance Sunday will be sadly different this year across the country.

“On Sunday only six people are able to take part in the service in Basildon. I was due to be one of the six.

“I have informed the mayor that I wish to give my place to a veteran from the Royal British Legion.”

This comes as a poppy has been installed onto Basildon’s iconic A127 sign.

David Burton-Sampson, the Mayor of Basildon, added: “As someone whose own family fought in World War Two, it’s been very sad to not recognise previous services as we would have wished.

“Unfortunately we’re not going to be able to celebrate Remembrance Sunday as we would have liked to and the way it deserves.

“I would ask everyone to stay at home and not come to any memorial sites on Remembrance Sunday.

“Take to your doorsteps at 11am and recognise the two minute silence for the fallen from home.

“None of our parades will take place this year. It’s just too dangerous to have all our veterans attend.

“It’s a really positive and kind gesture from Gavin.”

Gavin Callaghan and Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, will be laying a wreath at the church separately after the service.