A FLAG-raising ceremony to honour Britain's Armed Forces was led by West Devon mayor Cllr Alison Clish-Green at the borough council's Tavistock offices.

The first national Armed Forces Day is this Saturday (June 27) — and to mark the occasion, a special flag is being flown at Kilworthy Park.

Cllr Clish-Green and mayoress Kirstie, were joined by representatives from the Tavistock branch of the Royal British Legion, members of the Reserve and Cadet Forces, the mayor of Tavistock Cllr Mandy Govier, West Devon councillors, staff and local business people.

Tavistock Royal British Legion chairman John Lashbrooke raised the flag as secretary Jack May played the 'Reveille'.

Cllr Clish-Green told the gathering at the ceremony: 'Every day, the men and women of our Armed Forces make huge personal sacrifices for us — and their families do too. I hope that by flying this flag we can show our support and gratitude for the work they continue to do.

'The purpose of Armed Forces Day is to celebrate what our veterans have already achieved, what our current personnel continue to achieve, and the opportunities the Armed Forces offer our future generations.

'The Armed Forces Day Flag sends out a clear message that will be appreciated by all our service personnel, past, present and future.'

RIGHT: Malcolm Christie, Jack May, Peter Roberts and John Lashbrooke all from Tavistock Branch Royal British Legion; Alison Clish-Green and Kirstie Clish-Green, mayor and mayoress of West Devon; and West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox.