A COMMUNITY in Christchurch came together to honour the armed forces at an annual event.

The Burton Armed Forces and Veterans Day took place in the village for the 11th year on Sunday afternoon.

Attendees at the event included a number of veterans and serving members of the armed forces, as well as representative from local cadet and scout groups.

This year’s event was kicked off in special fashion with a flypast from a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft, which made several passes over the village green.

A parade took place in the middle of the afternoon to the village green, led by the Ringwood Pipe Band.

It carried a march past, with Christchurch MP Sir Christopher Chope, HM Deputy Lord Lieutenant John Young, Christchurch mayor Lesley Dedman, Rev Nigel Lacey and Burton parish councillor and leader of Christchurch Borough Council David Flagg taking the salute.

This was followed by a service of celebration from Rev Lacey, with hymns led by The Christchurch and District Band.

Councillor Dedman said the event was a significant part of the Christchurch calendar.

“It is always important to remember those people who sacrificed their lives for us, and help the people who served our country and are still here today,” she said.

“Remembrance must continue to take place and I’m really glad that as a council we do our level best to honour this.”

Several armed forces and veterans charities had stalls at the event and it provided them with a vital opportunity to engage with people. This included representatives from the Dorset arm of Help For Heroes, which is in its tenth year in 2018.

Organiser Gareth King said the day had been fantastic, with so many people coming out to support the event.

He added: “I thought that everyone who performed was an absolute credit to themselves as were all the people who joined in with the parade.

“The Spitfire from Battle of Britain Memorial Flight stole the show with its extremely low passes, it had crowds grasping and really set the tone for the day.

“We raised a fair amount of money and awareness for the charities in attendance.”