Replica cenotaph ready for event

A replica of the city centre cenotaph has been made

A wooden replica cenotaph will be the centrepiece of Birmingham's Remembrance Sunday ceremony because the original has been affected by building work.

The service has been relocated to the front of the Rep theatre in Centenary Square because building work is taking place for the city's new £193m library.

The Federation of Birmingham Ex-Servicemen's Associations said space was tight but the parade would be held.

Lord Mayor Michael Wilkes said the setting would be "wholly appropriate".

The parade will go down Broad Street which will be closed from Paradise Circus to Gas Street between 0930 and 1200 GMT.

'Good numbers'

Part of Cambridge Street will be closed from 0900 to 1200 GMT and diversions will also be in place around the area.

Exploratory work is taking place at the proposed library site

John Dolphin, of the Federation of Birmingham Ex-Servicemen's Associations, said: "It's going to be a bit dramatic on Sunday because they are going to close Broad Street, which they haven't done for many years to give us that little bit of extra space.

"We are going to be a little bit tight but we are still going to get our parade. We must have a parade. We must remember."

Birmingham City Council said the temporary arrangements had been agreed with the federation and other partners.

Councillor Wilkes added: "The setting for the Remembrance Day this year will be wholly fitting and appropriate. It will be a good ceremony.

"And I would encourage citizens of Birmingham to come in good numbers as they always do."

The council said exploratory work was taking place on the site of the proposed library which may start being built next year.