Plans are already well advanced for a double celebration when Axminster comes out of lockdown.

During the centenary of the founding of the Royal British Legion, a special parade is being organised by the Axminster branch of the Royal British Legion to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the town's War memorial on the Minster Green.

This will be followed by a picnic on the Green to celebrate the coming out of lockdown.

Subject to the COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, the double celebration will take place on Saturday, July 17th.

The day will start at 12 noon with a parade through the town to the War Memorial led by the Royal British Legion followed by a short service conducted by the Legion Chaplain, the Reverend Geoffrey Walsh. It is hoped a number of Civic dignitaries will be in attendance, including the mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, MP Neil Parish and a representative of the Lord Lieutenant of Devon.

Axminster Carnival Committee will be assisting with the picnic on the Minster Green which will be open to all residents of Axminster. Having been given permission to use the Minster Green by the Rector, the Reverend Clive Sedgewick, the programme is currently being put together but there will definitely be a Punch and Judy show for children and input from local musical acts who are giving their services free.

The events are being co-ordinated by the new Legion chairman, former mayor Mervyn Symes, who told Nub News: "We are putting together a programme of events for this special day but we wanted to get the date out to all the people of Axminster so they can have plenty of notice.

"All our plans will be subject to any COVID-19 restrictions at that time, but we are hoping we will finally be out of lockdown at that time and be back to somewhere near normality. We want to make it a day to remember for the people of Axminster after such a difficult time."

Full details will be published by Axminster Nub News when the programme is finalised.