West Midlands to mark Armed Forces Day

Events were being held across the region to honour the men and women of the armed forces.

A flag-raising ceremony took place in Walsall in honour of the Armed Forces.

Mayor Dennis Anson, a former serviceman in the RAF, raised the flag as he paid tribute to the vital role played by the troops. Armed Forces Day will be marked nationally on Saturday.

An event in Cannock Chase was also held. Councillor Anson said: "Our serving troops, veterans, recruits and service families are in our thoughts at this important event.

"This event provides an opportunity for Walsall's residents to think about our service personnel who are involved in conflicts all over the world. Armed Forces Day also allows us to reflect on those who have lost their lives in service.

"I am proud, as an ex-serviceman who served in the RAF for three years, to play my part."

The flag-raising ceremony took place at the Walsall Council house forecourt in Lichfield Street yesterday.

Parades are being planned and flags will be flown to mark the national Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

A special flag will be flying from the roof of Dudley's council house from today for the week leading up to Armed Forces Day.

The Armed Forces Flag will be flown from the top of the landmark building in Priory Road. It comes ahead of a military parade in the town next weekend.

A flag will also be raised in St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton, on the piazza at the Civic Centre, at 10.55am.

A similar ceremony was taking place in St Peter's Square, Wolverhampton, on the piazza at the Civic Centre, at 10.55am.

Walsall's mayor Dennis Anson was leading the tribute at Walsall Council House at 10.30am.

Events were also being held at the Civic Centre, in Beecroft Road, Cannock at 11.30am, and Walsall Council House at 10.30am.

South Staffordshire Council chairman Councillor Mary Bond was raising the Armed Forces Flag at 10.30am today at the council house, in Wolverhampton Road, Codsall. And Wyre Forest residents were gathering at Stourport Civic Centre at 10am.

In Dudley on July 1 more than 100 troops from the Royal Mercian Lancastrian Yeomanry (RMLY) will be parading through the town centre to officially mark their freedom of the borough. Crowds of people are urged to line the streets from 11am.

Himley Hall will also be hosting a range of events from 11am, including a band concert in the grounds of the historic hall.