SOLDIERS will march alongside veterans at the Burton Armed Forces and Veterans Day this weekend.

The annual event, which has been running since 2008, will welcome soldiers from the 216 Parachute Signal Squadron, who will be bringing a range of military vehicles with them from Colchester.

The event, which takes place on Sunday June 14, will be raising money for Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

And families are being encouraged to come along and bring youngsters, with a bouncy castle and entertainment scheduled as well as live music.

The traditional parade will take place from 1.45pm leaving from Burton Primary School in Campbell Road.

It will be led by Ringwood Pipe Band under the direction of Brian Fuller and Lucy Edan, parade marshals, with the procession marching from the school down Campbell Road, Priory View and Moorcroft Avenue before coming back up Woodstock Road and to the village green for a march past.

At the village green, a drumhead service, led by Reverend Canon Roy Matthews from St Luke's Church, will take place.

Christchurch and District Band will also perform along with Rose, the Forces Sweetheart and Lemon Grove.

The event, which is organised by Burton Parish Council, will continue until 6pm.

Gareth King, chairman of the committee, said: "This is a chance for people in the local community to show their appreciation for the armed forces who are still serving and those veterans who we owe so much to.

"It's an opportunity for us to say thank you to those people.

"This event is the perfect way to bring everyone together - young and old, military and civilians.

"It raises awareness of the jobs that they do."

Residents are asked to bring along a chair to the event.

The Christchurch Maritime Volunteer Service will be bringing along their boat simulator, with a bar and other refreshments also planned.

Go to burtonvetsday.com for more information.