Memorial services will be taking place in the Diocese of Tohoku three years after Japan was struck by a devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.

Close to 20,000 people were left dead or missing after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami on 11 March 2011.

The tsunami also caused meltdown at three reactors in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant complex, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents.

In the wake of the triple disaster, churches in the affected areas got involved in the distribution of aid and organised prayer meetings.

The three main memorial services will be taking place on 11 March at three locations across the Diocese of Tohoku in memory of those who died in the triple disaster and everyone affected.

The services will be taking place at St Stephen's Church in Fukushima, Christ Church in Sendai, and Morioka Sei Ko Kai.

The services will start at 1pm and be followed by a moment of silence at 2:46pm - the moment the earthquake struck.