A BIZARRE feud which saw The Royal British Legion banned from Remembrance Day services in one Redditch church is set to come to an end after 16 years.

The Webheath branch of the legion has been holding its own services in the village hall since 1984 after the church vicar stopped members from singing a particular hymn.

But this year The Rev Michael Herbert is retiring, leaving members of the legion hopeful they will be able to hold the service in the Church Road church next year.

Mr Herbert said: "The British Legion declined my invitation of holding the service if they could not sing the hymn O Valiant Hearts.

"I do not consider it to be a suitable hymn and I am in charge of what is sung in my church."

He added: "I do not think the song has appropriate theology and the meaning of sacrifice is lost. I have never had the song sung in any of my churches."

Mr Herbert said he was still conducting his own Remembrance Day service in the church this Sunday.

Secretary of the Webheath branch of the British Legion, Vernon Hopcroft, said: "For the last 16 years, the service has been held in the village hall. And on this occasion the service will be held inside which is different than before when the two minute silence has been held in the open air."

Mr Hopcroft said he hoped as many people would turn up to the service which starts at 10.45am on Sunday at the Heathfield Road Village Hall.

He added: "We are hoping next year's service will be back in the church."

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