ORGANISERS of Richmond's Remembrance Day parade fear a change of route could prevent some war veterans from taking part.

Police have modified the usual route for security reasons but some old soldiers have warned they are not able to tackle the new march.

Town mayor Coun Stuart Parsons has written to the chief constable to protest at the changes.

"No consideration has been given to the physical health and wellbeing of the veterans who are wishing to parade," he said.

Sgt Mick Griffiths, of Richmond police, said the decision to alter the route followed several years when attempts to clear Frenchgate of parked cars for security reasons had failed.

Police had no legal powers to make owners move their vehicles from the street and, while most residents had complied with the request, visitors could not always be traced and asked.

"We were not always able to identify the owners of visiting vehicles and we could not clear Frenchgate completely," said Sgt Griffiths. "Those residents who did co-operate quite rightly felt somewhat aggrieved that they made the effort but other vehicles remained there.

"We must be able to guarantee safety and security and, for that reason, we have made this permanent change to the Remembrance Day parade route."

Last year, a trial scheme of residents' parking passes had failed because some people had made their own copies.

The parade on November 10 will now take a route from St Mary's Church to the town centre via Station Road and Dundas Street.

Sgt Griffiths said provision had been made for those unable to tackle the hill from the church to join the procession near Richmond Motors.

Coun Parsons said the previous route had worked well for many years and asked for an urgent meeting with police chiefs to discuss the matter further.

"We are now faced with the prospect of selective participation or, even worse, of a parade which swells and shrinks at particular sections of the newly designated route," he said. "That is surely not a very dignified or respectful way of remembering those who gave their lives so that we might live ours."