A CEREMONY will be held at Colchester Town Hall to mark Armed Forces Day on Monday.

It will be led by Colchester Mayor Nick Cope at 10am when there will be a fanfare of trumpets from the Band of the Parachute Regiment.

Mr Cope will be accompanied by the Commander of Colchester Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Caldwell, Garrison Sergeant Major WO1 Billy Biggar and members of the town’s 16 Air Assault Brigade.

The town hall will also fly the Armed Forces Day flag, alongside the Pegasus flag of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

The public is invited to attend the event, which takes place on the town hall steps.

Mr Cope, said: “The raising of the Armed Forces Day flag gives us the opportunity to thank the military community who have devoted their lives to protecting our nation.

"This year's Armed Forces Day event is particularly poignant as it marks key anniversaries in Second World War, notably D-Day and the Battle of Arnhem, both of which involved men of the 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions.

“We owe our serving military personnel, particularly the British Army’s airborne forces based here in Colchester, and veterans everywhere, a huge debt of gratitude. Their commitment and sacrifice at home and abroad help ensure our freedom and safety.”

Colchester Castle will also be supporting Armed Forces Day by offering free entry on June 29 to serving personnel and their families with military ID or a Defence Privilege Card.