A SERVICE to remember the heroes who fought in the Battle of Britain will be held in Stourbridge this weekend after the plug was pulled earlier this year.

Stourbridge Royal Air Force veterans used to hold the service every September in honour of fallen forces comrades who lost their lives.

But the veterans announced they would no longer hold the annual service and parade at Mary Stevens Park due to their battle against a depleted membership.

RAF veteran Rev Tom Chapman, chairman of the Stourbridge branch, who usually takes the service, said considering the branch’s dwindling membership and the great ages of surviving members – most of whom are in their 90s – “we concluded, sadly, that we are unable to continue the annual park services”.

But the town’s 451 Squadron Air Cadets have pledged to pick up the baton so a service could take place in the town, this time at St Marys CofE Church, in Oldswinford.

Flight Lieutenant Vicky Seabridge, 451 Squadron adjutant, said: “When we read in the News that the RAF veterans were not going to hold their Battle of Britain service, we knew we had to step in.

“Our band has attended the services in the past and we wanted to take on the mantle to commemorate this event.

“Unfortunately there won’t be a parade this year, but by holding the service we will at least have the chance to honour the fallen heroes.”

The service will start at 4.30pm on Sunday (September 18), with all members of the public invited – especially any who were involved in the battle as air crew or ground support or those who served at home with the RAF.

Tea and coffee will be served after the service by the air cadets’ civilian committee.