TAVISTOCK parish church is preparing to commemorate loved ones who have died, in three special services beginning this weekend.

Held annually around All Souls' Day, the day when across the world, the Church remembers those who have died, and those who mourn, the services will be particularly helpful for those who have been bereaved.

On Sunday, at 6 pm, a service of readings and music will be held — 'Lighten our Darkness' —with the opportunity to light a candle in memory of a loved one, followed by tea and cake.

Then on All Souls' Day itself — Tuesday November 2 — services of holy communion will be held at 12.30pm and 7.30pm. The evening service will again be followed by tea and cake for those who wish to stay.

All three services will be held in St Eustachius' Church and at each the names of departed loved ones will be read out in a dignified act of remembrance. Parishioners wishing the name of a loved one to be commemorated at one of the services should pass the name to a sidesperson or minister before the service begins.

The priest-in-charge of Tavistock and Gulworthy, the Rev Michael Brierley, said: 'This Sunday evening, the clocks will have gone back, and the darker evenings can make loss feel even deeper.

'So these are poignant services, especially when the names are read out, but they're also filled with life: it's because the services respect the bereavement that people go through, that their message of hope can be taken seriously.

'As the nights draw in, and West Devon goes about its busy-ness, here are some services which offer a friendly face, a renewed vision, and light in the darkness —absolutely everyone is warmly invited to join us.'