A CREMATORIUM near Romsey is helping the public celebrate Father’s Day by streaming a special tribute service through its YouTube channel.

Test Valley Crematorium, Ridge Lane, will broadcast the service on Sunday, June 20, with people being urged to send in three words which remind them of their fathers.

This comes after around 11,000 people tuned in for the festive services of remembrance, with the group to following it up with a special broadcast on Mother’s Day.

Site manager at Test Valley Crematorium, Rob Metcalf, said it was only right to do something for Father's Day following the special service for Mother’s Day in March.

He explained: "Some restrictions still remain in place, so we felt that holding a national event would allow families to remember fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and father figures wherever they may be in England, Scotland and Wales.

“People will be able to view the service on Sunday, 20 June at 11am, which will be broadcast from Vale Royal Crematorium in Cheshire and include readings and music.

“We would really like local communities to get involved too and so we are inviting families to send us three words, which remind them of their fathers.

“We are going to compile all the submissions into a word cloud which will be revealed at the end of the Father’s Day broadcast.

“Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day can be a poignant time for those who have lost loved ones.

“We are streaming this service, to bring some comfort to people and to enable them to feel that they are remembering their lost loved ones in a special way despite the lockdown restrictions."

The service can be found by visiting the news section at www.testvalleycrematorium.co.uk.

It will be available to view after the event on the Westerleigh Group’s YouTube channel.

Anyone who wants to contribute three words for inclusion in the cloud at the end of the broadcast should submit them to https://bit.ly/3iaaBbw by Wednesday, June 16.