PEOPLE turned out to see the raising of a special flag in Abingdon to mark this Saturday’s Armed Forces Day.

About a dozen people watched as the flag was raised at County Hall, in Market Place, on Monday.

Beth Fleming, vice-chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, and Duncan Brown, deputy mayor of Abingdon, joined representatives from Dalton Barracks to raise the flag.

Armed Forces Day will be marked around the UK to honour Britain’s armed forces past, present and future.

The flag raising marked the start of a week of celebrations leading up to Armed Forces Day.

The flag will remain in place until Monday.

It will then be taken down and presented at the town’s Armed Forces open day, on Saturday, July 4, to local veteran Stan Bradford.

Mr Bradford received the Distinguished Flying Medal, awarded to RAF personnel showing valour, courage and devotion to duty while flying in active operations.

Ms Fleming said: “We are proud that we will be raising the flag and showing support to our armed forces.”

She added: “This event is especially important to us given the contribution that everyone at Dalton Barracks makes to the Vale community.”

A parade to honour members of the armed forces will take place in Wantage on Saturday.

The event has been organised by members of Berkshire and the Vale of White Horse Royal British Legion.

Contingents from Dennison Barracks, Hermitage, near Newbury, from RAF Benson and from the Air Training Corps Cadets will join veterans for the parade, which will include a short service at the town’s war memorial in Portway at 1.50pm.

Canon John Salter will lead the service and it is hoped that about 200 people will attend.

The parade, led by Wantage Silver Band, will then proceed through Market Place, where Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Boyd-Carpenter, president of the Berkshire Royal British Legion, and Wantage mayor Patrick O’Leary will take the salute.