A CELEBRATION of the armed forces will take place in Blackwood in the week leading up to a national commemorative event.

Armed Forces Day will be recognised across the UK on Saturday, June 24, but residents in the Caerphilly town will be able to show their support on Monday, June 19.

Caerphilly County Borough Council has organised a ceremony, which will include a short parade led by the Royal British Legion which will come to a halt in front of the stage for the annual flag raising ceremony.

Cllr Alan Higgs, the council’s armed forces champion said: “The annual flag raising ceremony provides a fantastic opportunity for residents to join together and give thanks to the armed forces community.

“The event is hosted in a different town every year to ensure that we afford this opportunity to all of our residents.

“We are also very fortunate to have the fantastic South Wales Armed Forces Day event returning to Caerphilly town centre later that week.”

The Blackwood event starts at 10.30am at the Dragon Circle, which is close to Asda in the town centre and following the formalities of the ceremony, guests will be invited to join the mayor for light refreshments in Blackwood Miners’ Institute

The mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council John Bevan will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, local school pupils and other dignitaries who will play a key role in the ceremony.

The Blackwood ceremony will mark the countdown to the main South Wales Armed Forces Day event which will take place in Caerphilly Town Centre on Saturday, June 24.

For information about the event visit southwalesarmedforcesday.org and for further information on Armed Forces Day, call 01443 863218.