Cheadle’s Remembrance Sunday parade and service had to be moved at the last minute due to a ‘security risk’The van’s owner was eventually found art about ‘two minutes to 11am'(Image: Submitted)

A Remembrance Sunday parade had to be moved at the last-minute after a parked van was deemed to be a ‘security risk’.

The service in Cheadle, Stockport was hastily rearranged after the owner of the white van, which is understood to have been parked next to the war memorial since Saturday night, couldn’t be found in time. Witnesses say police advised organisers that the service couldn’t take place at the memorial while the van was still there as it posed a ‘security risk’.

Onlookers say the van’s owner was eventually tracked down at about ‘two minutes to 11am’ and fined by police before moving the vehicle.

The delayed service was moved to St Mary’s Church, where the two minute’s silence was observed by around 3,000 people.

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Coun David Mellor said: “The main issue was that it was a security threat. All these pleas and calls were put out to try find whoever’s van it was and then he turned up about two minutes to 11am.

“It was quite a lot of upheaval to carry all the equipment to the church and rejig the parade at the last minute. It caused something of a palaver, but at the same time it brought everyone together and rallied round, so it was a positive in that respect.”

The delayed service was held outside St Mary’s Church

An attendee at the service, who asked not to be named, said: “We normally get about 3,000 people here and unfortunately today it was a bit chaotic.

“The police said it was a security risk to go ahead as normal while the van was still parked there. We normally lay wreathes at the memorial, but we couldn’t do that today.

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“It’s a shame. Some people are just so inconsiderate.”

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the driver was issued a ticket for ‘obstruction’. They added: “Officers along with council partners used their situational management and community spirit to make sure the parade ran smoothly.”