HASLEMERE Town Council led a short service and flag raising ceremony outside the town hall on Monday, marking Commonwealth Day.

Town mayor Sharon Abeysundara raised the flag, joined by councillors and schoolchildren while prayers were offered by the Rector of Haslemere, Rev Mary Bowden.

Every year more than 700 Commonwealth flags are raised in locations around the UK, in the UK’s overseas territories and in Commonwealth countries.

The “Fly the Flag for the Commonwealth” initiative – in its third year – aims to join people in a spirit of “friendship and co-operation, trade and commerce, diversity and equality, technological advancement sports, the arts and sciences and exchange of ideas and skills”.