Hundreds of residents came together to celebrate Armed Forces Day on Sunday with veterans, families and civic leaders proudly flying the flag to mark National Armed Forces Week.

The event, which was organised by the Friends of Clarence Park and the Royal Fusiliers Band, featured an array of stalls, musical performances, and displays of historic and military vehicles.

On Monday, the Union flag was hoisted outside Knowsley Place in Bury, witnessed by a number of armed forces representatives including the Mayor of Bury, Cllr Shaheena Haroon; council leader Cllr Eamonn O’Brien; and Cllr Richard Gold, the council’s armed forces lead.

Hannah Crompton, chair of Friends of Clarence Park, said: “We’re a fairly new group so it’s really nice to get events going on in the park again, especially after such a long hiatus.

"It’s nice to show appreciation to our veterans and I’m so pleased that people made the effort to come and I hope they had a really nice time.”

Bury Times: Gail Slack, Cllr Gold, Shirley Simmons, Sam Philips. Gail Slack, Cllr Gold, Shirley Simmons, Sam Philips.

Cllr Gold said: “We have a proud military tradition in Bury, the historic home of the Fusiliers, and we are proud of the contribution that former and current serving members of our armed forces have made and continue to make.

“Sunday’s event in Clarence Park was a wonderful day, bringing all the family together to meet our forces and celebrate our heritage, while yesterday’s more solemn ceremony reminds us of the sacrifices our forces have made and out duty to look after them.

Bury Times: The flag raising took place on Monday, flag raising yesterday and was attended by the Mayor, veterans and Cllrs Gold and O’Brien.The flag raising took place on Monday, flag raising yesterday and was attended by the Mayor, veterans and Cllrs Gold and O’Brien.

“This is why the council and Bury NHS have renewed our armed forces covenant to give veterans, serving personnel and their families the respect and access to services that they deserve.”

Bury Council has recently won a Silver Award for its work in helping its employees play their part in the armed forces.