A MEMORIAL service to remember the two children who died following a tragic incident near Bournemouth Pier will be held this weekend.

The service at St Nicholas Church, Hengistbury Head, will be held at 3pm on Sunday, July 9 to remember 12-year-old Sunnah Khan, who was from High Wycombe, and 17-year-old Joe Abbess of Southampton.

It will also pay respects to the eight people who were rescued from the water during the major incident on May 31.

Sunnah, who lived in Bucks, attended Bourne End Acamedy and was described by the school as an 'energetic' student with a 'bold and happy personality'.

“Her energetic character and fierce sense of loyalty meant that she had built strong and positive relationships with her peers and teachers.

"She will be enormously missed.

The service is open to anybody who wants to attend and will begin the commemoration of Sea Sunday, with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell and Mayor of Bournemouth, Anne Filer, joining others in lighting a candle in memory of Sunnah and Joe.

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Sea Sunday also pays tribute to volunteers who keep watch and rescue people at sea.

This includes the coastguard station at Hengistbury Head which was closed for 26 years but is now run by voluntary watchkeepers.

The day is an annual day of remembrance and prayer where churches give thanks for the lives and work of seafarers.

Representatives from the Coastguard and the RNLI will attend, including the Coastguard maritime operations team leader Daniel Winter and RNLI Lifeboat medical advisor, Lexi Obee- Kendal.

Dorset Police Commissioner, David Sidwick and ACC Rachel Farrell will be there from Dorset Police.

Deputy leader of BCP Council, Millie Earl and Councillor Andy Martin will represent BCP Council, alongside the Mayor.