SCORES of people turned out for the annual Burton Armed Forces and Veterans Day this afternoon.

The sun made a last-minute appearance as veterans paraded from Burton Primary School along Campbell Road, Priory View and Moorcroft Avenue towards Heathland Close, Woodstock Road and Salisbury Road.

Ringwood Pipe Band led the procession which was followed by former Army, Navy and RAF soldiers wearing their berets, medals and jackets which included one man who had a brightly-coloured Union Jack blanket draped over his wheelchair. Marching closely behind were cadets and scouts from the area who travelled to Burton Village Green along Salisbury Road as members of the public clapped.

Reverend Johnathon Woodhouse led a drumhead service of celebration, who served as Chaplain General and head of the Royal Army Chaplains' Department from 2011 to 2014. It was also attended by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset and Colonel Oliver Chamberlain.

During the service asked members of the public to keep Cllr Judy Jamieson CBE, the chairman of Burton Parish Council, in their prayers as she has become unwell and was not able to attend the event.

Ahead of the day, she had said: "This special day is to celebrate our veterans and to recognise the contribution they make to our lives, to our community and to pause and reflect just for a few moments to consider our Armed Forces personnel serving around the world."

Small glasses of drink were handed out to the military veterans at the end of the service to allow them to toast to the Queen for her 90th birthday weekend before the Christchurch and District Band led the National Anthem.

As well as the main service, there were also stalls, games, a bouncy castle, face painting, and military vehicles for families to look at, as well as a tombola in aid of Help for Heroes.

The event aimed to raise as much money as possible for the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.