The Annual Service of Remembrance for babies and children who have died before, during or after birth, organised by Watford General Hospital, will take place at St Andrew’s Church, at 3pm on Sunday, May 10.

Organisers say anyone touched by such circumstances are welcome to attend.

The loss doesn’t have to be recent as the service will remembering babies from many years ago when such loss was often unacknowledged.

Remembrance candles will be lit and names of departed loved ones read out.

Visitors will also hear others’ reflections on their losses and there will be a chance to hear reflections of people’s experiences and a chance to pray quietly or contemplate.

The ceremony will be led by Doug Loveridge, the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Manager at Watford General Hospital, and Ian Pankhurst, the Vicar of St Andrews.

Doug said: “I am very aware of how difficult it is to lose a child at any stage, and I hope that this ceremony will help people to cope with their sense of loss.

“Recently I have been aware of how parents often need to feel so very close to their little ones, and this service is about knowing that we are all held in God’s hands and that we are not alone.”