A Wiltshire town council has been forced to apologise to war veterans and their relatives after some missed its annual Remembrance Sunday commemoration.

There was controversy in Westbury after the Remembrance Sunday service was held well before 11am - meaning some veterans missed the service after turning up late.

The town council organised its service from 10.15am to 10.45am in a change from the timings usually associated with the annual national event.

Former Royal Marines Commando Alan Williams, who lives in Westbury Leigh, arrived at 10.40am just in time to hear the Last Post being played by a trumpeter.

He said: “Today at the Westbury Remembrance Service, I was disgusted to arrive at 10.40 just in time to hear the Last Post and the two minutes silence. I was not the only one to arrive as it was all over.

“I found the mayor and questioned him on what had happened, he said “the two minutes silence doesn’t have to be at two minutes to 11.00 it can be any time. This is not acceptable, history dictates the time of this national event.

“Whoever authorised this time change should be held to account, for potentially ruining an event that brings the whole community together, to honour this county’s heroes who gave everything for us.”

Ryan Child, the councils’ new events manager, said: “Westbury Town Council is, like the rest of the town, passionate and committed to remembering those that have served the country.

“This year the service was ahead of schedule and it is with regret that the silence was honoured earlier than advertised.

“For those that may have missed the service or were inconvenienced in any way the town council offers its sincerest apology.

“As a council we want only what is best for the town and will work hard to improve the Remembrance Service next year.

“2020 will be the third since being asked to take over the organising of the service by the Royal British Legion. Sadly, the Royal British Legion could no longer deliver the service due to a lack of membership.

“In terms of support, this was a day Westbury can be proud of. The service was another demonstration of the strong sense of community our town has, with a cohort of young people and community organisations dedicated to serving the town.

“Nothing illustrates this better than the number in attendance this weekend who fell silent to honour the fallen. The council would like to thank every individual and group that volunteered their time this weekend.”