SERVICES commemorating the Herald and the 20th anniversary of the tragedy are being held in Dover, starting this weekend.

The services will not only remember the lives lost, but will honour the heroism shown by so many people, in the immediate and longer-term aftermath of the accident.

The Herald of Free Enterprise capsized just outside the port of Zeebrugge on March 6, 1987. Her bow doors had been left open and water poured in. The disaster led to widespread changes to shipping safety.

On Sunday, a service called The Herald Community 20th Anniversary Service will be held at 10.30am in St Mary’s Church, Cannon Street, led by Rev David Ridley.

Sunday has been chosen so as not to conflict with the annual service held every year, attended by crew members and relatives of those who died.

A small group containing counsellors, a Herald crew member, local dignitaries plus St Mary’s vicar, David Ridley, have worked together to create the service.

On Tuesday, March 6, the annual service of the disaster organised by the British and International Sailors’ Society takes place at 11am at the Seafarers’ Centre in Snargate Street.

After the service a bus will be available to take people to Herald Wood, in Whitfield.

There will be an opportunity for immediate relatives of those who died to plant a tree in memory of their loved ones.

Church bells will be rung at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday, marking the time the Herald capsized 20 years ago.

At 6.30pm a band of bell ringers will ring a memorial quarter peal of bells. The bells will be muffled and the ringing will start at 6.30pm, continuing until 7.30pm. The ringers will be led by Philip Elderton, an employee of P&O Ferries.

* SEE THIS WEEK'S EAST KENT MERCURY AND DOVER MERCURY FOR A 16-PAGE HERALD OF FREE ENTERPRISE TRIBUTE.