The pandemic has meant many of us have missed out on big events and being with family when we need them the most, adapting weddings, funerals and birthdays for almost a year.

But a Bridport family were able to get the closure they needed and pay respects to their loved one at a special funeral service in West Bay.

Wendy Thorogood's father, Brian Johnson, died peacefully at his home in Essex, but due to the virus and lockdown restrictions, she felt it was not safe to travel there.

She said: "He had planned his own funeral and paid for it; he was to be buried in the Purleigh in Essex churchyard. The church in Essex refused to hold a service within the church, just the comital, so with that in mind and the risk of travelling, we planned a funeral here at St John's to be held at the same time as the burial."

The service was held by the Rev Philip Ringer on January 12.

Wendy added: "There were only 12 of us all in masks with restrictions to sit in our bubbles.

"The service was delightful and so very personally Phil took the details and told my dad's life story respectfully, accompanied by organ music - being unable to sing - with chosen tracks of meaningful songs.

"I am so sad to not have been with my sisters but the risks in my mind were too great as a shielded person, but the service offered the closure we needed and pay respects to my father."