THE devoted standard bearer for Tavistock will not be seen leading this year's Remembrance Sunday parade — as he has been specially selected to represent Tavistock at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Standard bearer and vice chairman of the Tavistock branch of the Royal British Legion, Malcolm Christie, said he was honoured to be selected to carry Tavistock's standard at the Festival of Remembrance on November 13.

Mr Christie said: 'I am very pleased to have been selected by Devon County to represent Tavistock. Only two or three people are selected from each county and it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is a great honour and I feel very proud.'

Mr Christie has been Tavistock's standard bearer for two years now, but will be unable to join in with the parade in Tavistock this year.

He said: 'I have to do two performances at the festival and lots of practising, and there are no trains out of London after 8pm — it would be too much to drive back.

'It will be a shame to miss it but I have got a stand-in.'

Jack May, branch secretary for Tavistock Royal British Legion, said it was a great honour that had been bestowed upon Mr Christie.

He said: 'He takes all his duties very seriously.

'As standard bearer he travels all over Devon representing Tavistock on all Royal British Legion ceremonial occasions, particularly at funerals of members and ex-members of the armed services.

'Unfortunately he will not be able to attend Tavistock's Remembrance Sunday parade and service.

'However, Roy Noble from Saltash has volunteered to carry the standard of the medical section of the Royal Navy Association, leading the parade on Sunday November 14. For this the Royal British Legion and, I am sure the people who attend the parade, are very grateful.'

The Festival of Remembrance takes place at the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday November 13.