Thousands support Armed Forces Day event worth £3.5m to town

4 hours ago

Jake Zuckerman,in Cleethorpesand

Phillip Norton,in Hull

BBC A green military tank is driving down a street. Two men wearing helmet and sunglasses are peering through an open hatch at the top of the tank, while another is doing the same just in front. Other members in green military uniforms are standing by the side looking as it drives past. — Tens of thousands of people turned up in Cleethorpes in support of the armed forces community

Tens of thousands of people attended Armed Forces Day events over the weekend.

In Cleethorpes, events took place on the seafront over three days, from Friday to Sunday, while one was held in Queen Victoria Square in Hull on Saturday.

Alex Baxter, from the armed forces major events team, said the celebration in Cleethorpes was worth £3.5m to the town.

"That's because of hotels, transport infrastructure - it really is an amazing contribution to the tourism and local economy," he said.

The picture is taken right beneath the aircraft, which is shaped like a dart with an arrow head at the front. On its belly, it holds various missiles. — An RAF Typhoon flypast was a highlight on Saturday in Cleethorpes

The occasion is held annually in support of the armed forces community, from serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets.

This year's event in Cleethorpes was adapted because of work on Pier Gardens, and there was no community parade, but personnel and vehicles marched between Sea Road and the leisure centre on Saturday.

The Scottish pipers wear blue kilts and short-sleeved shirts with large tasseled sporrans. The leader carries a long ornamental pole at the front. — A Scottish pipe band took part in the parade on Saturday

Military aircraft displays included a Typhoon and RAF Tutor display team, a Chinook and a Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Sunday.

The Red Arrows, which usually take part, are in the US for the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

A large military tank is driving down a street. The sun is shining, there are various flags being flown in the background and two children at the front of the tank are standing and admiring it as it drives past. — Military vehicles were on display throughout the Cleethorpes' weekend

In Hull, a climbing wall was set up in Queen Victoria Square and The Band of 150 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force Band played on the main stage.

Military vehicles and equipment were also on show.

Ian is smiling and wears a dark blue top with regimental logos. Various stalls and buildings can be seen in the background. — WO1 Ian Mitchell, of the 150 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps

"This is the day when we get out, we engage with the public face of 150 Regiment, our own parent regiment based here in Hull," WO1 and bandmaster Ian Mitchell said.

"We get a chance to engage with the public, draw the regiment's name up, recruit, bring attention to ourselves and have a good time playing some music in the sunshine."

There is another chance to celebrate the role of the armed forces in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

The town is holding its own Armed Forces Day at the Defence School of Logistics, DST Leconfield, on Saturday 4 July.