CRADLEY Heath, Old Hill, Rowley Regis and Oldbury residents are being asked to put poppies in their front windows after Covid-19 forced the cancellation of traditional Remembrance Sunday events.

Sandwell's mayor councillor Ann Jaron has urged people to remember the war heroes at home this Sunday (November 8).

Her call was echoed by Richard Dodds, branch secretary of Oldbury Royal British Legion, who said the parade at the town’s cenotaph is normally attended by over a thousand people.

Saying residents should display poppies as a mark of respect, cllr Jaron added: “I ask you to observe the two minutes silence together, by your radio, your TV or on your doorstep.

“I ask you to wear your poppy with pride and maybe even put up pictures of poppies next to the rainbows in your front windows.“

In a poignant video, which can be seen here, she urged people to remember not only the fallen of two world wars but also the estimated 20 million who died of Spanish Influenza between 1917 and 1919.

The mayor added: “This year unfortunately we are unable to remember the fallen in the same way but that does not mean our respect has waned.

"It must not.”

Richard Dodds, branch secretary of Oldbury Royal British Legion, said: “Due to this awful pandemic we cannot do anything this year, we are trying to keep people safe.”

Supporting the idea of displaying poppies he added: “We will be remembering but in different ways this year.

 “There is no way we are not going to remember those who served and are serving but unfortunately I’ve seen too many people I know and loved die this year and I’m sorry, we have to keep people safe.”