A 'SAFEKEEPING' ceremony for a much loved standard was performed on Sunday at St Eustachius Church, Tavistock.

The standard belonged to the womens' section of the Tavistock branch of the Royal British Legion. However, the branch, due to lack of membership, has been forced to close down after 80 years so its remaining members wanted its standard to find a suitable place to rest.

With the agreement of the St Eustachius it was decided that it would be permanently kept at the parish church.

The Reverend Michael Brierley officiated the special 'handover' service.

Under the rules of the RBL the standard was either to be cremated or found a place of safekeeping.

Mary McLoughlin, the section's former vice chairman, said: 'It now means the standard honouring the the womens' section of the Tavistock branch has found a place of safekeeping in this holy church for evermore.'