ORGANISERS of Ringwood Armed Forces Day are on cloud nine following news of a flypast in the town this summer.

The RAF Events Team announced their event which is due to take place in June.

A Dakota aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will circle the show ground at Carvers Playing Field while the loadmaster waves at crowds from the open door.

The Douglas C-47 Dakota was widely used during WW2 by the Allies and later by air forces worldwide.

More than 2,000 made their way to the UK and were known as the Dakotas in RAF service, used to carry troops and freight and air-drop supplies.

The memorial flight, which helps to draw in the crowds for the annual Bournemouth Air Festival, is also renowned for the Lancaster bomber and Spitfire and Hurricane fighters.

Chairman of the Ringwood Events Committee, Steve Nash, said: “This is great news and will help us establish the event in the town’s calendar in addition to bringing more people into the town.”

It will be the third year for the Armed Forces Day event in Ringwood which has grown significantly year-on-year and provides free activities for service personnel and members of the community.

There will be a change of venue this year, following works on the old site at Bickerley Green , and will now take place at Carvers Playing Field, Southampton Road, on Saturday, June 25.

From 10am-4pm there will be a large range of activities including military vehicles, fair rides, military stands, charity stalls, live music, re-enactors and food stalls.

Local organisations and exhibitors can book stalls now for the event and serving military personnel will be provided with free refreshments upon presentation of their ID cards.

For more information call Sam on 07973 863203 or visit the Facebook Ringwood Events Committee page.