Hundreds at city Armed Forces Day celebrations

News imageBBC People are holding flags of various colours on the far left and far right of the photo. In between them, dozens of people are in the background facing the camera. BBC
The parade in the afternoon was followed by a service

Hundreds of people gathered in Stoke-on-Trent for Armed Forces Day celebrations.

The event at Queen's Park in Longton featured a full military parade and service, as well as live music and other activities.

It gave the public the chance to honour the service and dedication of past and present members of the armed forces community.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Prof Liz Barnes, said events like this were important because "we need to recognise all of the work and support that we get from our cadets and our armed forces more broadly".

She added that the event was "a chance to thank them, thank their families that are with them for supporting them and all the work that they do in terms of keeping the peace for us".

The parade, at 14:00 BST on Sunday, was followed by a service and entertainment.

News imageA brass band of more than a dozen people is playing a piece of music and looking at music in front of them. Trees are in the background.
Penkhull Village Brass provided music ahead of the parade being held

Military vehicles and regimental displays were organised and brass band Penkhull Village Brass in the city provided some of the music at the event.

Barnes added: "What a fantastic turnout. Everybody [has been] having such a good time and appreciating everything that's done from our armed services."

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