THE Mayor of West Devon has been presented with a Commonwealth flag by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon as part of a national event which will see 500 Commonwealth flags raised across the UK.

West Devon Borough Council is joining local authorities throughout the British Isles in the new initiative which is being staged at 10am on Monday, March 10 to mark Commonwealth Day 2014.

A specially-written Commonwealth Affirmation will be read out by the mayor, Cllr William Cann, before the flag is raised above the council's headquarters at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock.

Vice Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Sir John Cave, presented the Commonwealth flag to Cllr Cann at a ceremony at County Hall, Exeter on February 10 — one month before Commonwealth Day.

Cllr Cann said: 'I am very proud to have received the Commonwealth flag on behalf of the residents of West Devon.

'I hope the national event on March 10 will enable people across the country to reflect on the Commonwealth, and find out more about its values and the opportunities it offers to citizens around the world.'

Charity teams will mark Commonwealth Day by taking flags to the top of the UK's four highest peaks. Commonwealth flags will also be flown at many locations of special significance including the four capital cities and Land's End in Cornwall. It will be the largest, single raising of the Commonwealth Flag .

 An interactive map is available at http://www.esriuk.com/flyaflagmap">www.esriuk.com/flyaflagmap where people can see details of their local event and get involved.