Members of the local lesbian and gay community on the Bible belt island of Goeree-Overflakkee can lay a wreath on Remembrance Day after all following the resignation of the event’s local organisers, the AD reports.

Gay op Flakkee had petitioned to lay a wreath as representatives of the gay and lbtg+ community on the island but had been denied a part in the ceremony by the organisers who said ‘the village is not ready for this’.

Following wide-spread criticism, the Ring van Oranje, which organises royalty related events, decided to withdraw from the proceedings. Its tasks have now been taken over by the local council.

In a statement on Facebook the original organisers said they ‘regretted how the event unfolded. We apologise to everyone who was hurt by this. This was never intended to happen.’

The Remembrance Day ceremony, which will take place in Nieuwe-Tonge on May 4, will go ahead with the participation of Gay op Flakkee, mayor Ada Grootenboer said. ‘We feel it’s important that on May 4 we remember all victims of the Second World War, in war situations and on peace missions, with each other and excluding no one.’