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Town shops to close for soldier's funeral
LYTHAM will shut up shop to pay its respects to fallen soldier Corporal Loren Marlton-Thomas.
Traders along the town's main shopping route will close their stores as the funeral cortge and Union flag-draped coffin proceeds through the town along Cecil Street on December 8.
Hundreds of people are expected to line Lytham's streets for the funeral as a mark of respect to the 28-year-old, who was born in Blackpool and raised in Lytham and North Shore. The former Lytham St Annes High School pupil was killed in Afghanistan by an improvised explosive device while clearing a route for troops in Helmand Province on November 15.
The special tribute by the shopkeepers of the town was announced today by Lytham Enterprise Group.
Marc Whitehead, from Exquisite Shoes, on Clifton Street (inset right), said: "As a mark of respect we expect that some shops Lytham will close for a short period of time mid-morning when the funeral procession makes it way down Clifton Street."
Robert Silverwood, vice chairman of LEG (inset right), who runs Lowther Gardens cafe, added: "It's horrible what has happened and very emotional. I think it's the right thing to do and we're proud to show our respects."
The cortge will pause at the cenotaph for a moment just after 11am where the Mayor of Fylde, Coun Paul Rigby, and others will pay their respects.
It will continue along Clifton Street, turning right at Station Road and back towards Ansdell along East Beach, into Fairlawn Road, Blackpool Road, over Skew Bridge and to St Joseph's RC Church for the service at noon.
Friends and colleagues from 33 Engineer Regiment will then take on the role of pall-bearers and the service will be conducted by Father Harry Holden.
A full military funeral will follow.
Eulogies are expected to be given by the soldier's widow, Nicola Marlton-Thomas, and his mother, Mrs Anne Marlton-Thomas, who lives in Cleveleys.
Corporal Marlton-Thomas' brother, Fraser, 25, will read a poem "The Soldier" and Army colleague, lance corporal clerk Faith Huxtable, who served alongside Loren in Iraq, will offer a reading.
At the close of the service, a bugler will sound the Last Post. A graveside gun salute will be then be fired at the Park Cemetery, on Regent Avenue as Corporal Marlton-Thomas is laid to rest alongside other servicemen in an area specially designated for military personnel.
Funeral director Jeffrey Horsfield, of St David's Road North, St Annes, said in his experience the occasion would be one of the biggest of its kind in the area.
"We are privileged to be able to help the family at this difficult time," he said.
Main roads in the area will be closed to traffic during the procession. Free parking is available at Fylde Rugby Club, opposite the church.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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