Whitehill town mayor Cllr Leeroy Scott led a flag raising ceremony in the event space at the Forest Community Centre to mark the start of Armed Forces Week on June 19.

He was joined by serving representatives from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), veterans, residents, the Royal British Legion, the REME Association and 2412 Bordon Squadron Air Cadets, who included Flight Sergeant Caitlin Sobey, his official cadet.

Pupils from Oakmoor School, Bordon Infant School and Bordon Junior School attended the ceremony along with the vice-chairman of East Hampshire District Council, Cllr Catherine Clark, and Hampshire county councillor, East Hampshire district councillor and Whitehill Town Council leader Cllr Andy Tree.

Town crier Stuart Morrison introduced the town mayor, who gave a welcoming speech in which he paid tribute to the Corps of the REME for the important role it played in the town for more than a century.

This was recognised in 2015 when it was awarded the freedom of the town during the Farewell to the Garrison Festival.

Cllr Scott said: “It is important that we still recognise this event as a part of this town’s heritage.”

He added: “It is only fitting that we should give recognition to the tremendous support, sacrifice and commitment carried out by our armed forces, both veterans and present service men and women, as well as people serving across the Commonwealth.”

The town mayor invited everyone to join him in a minute’s silence, followed by a speech from Lt Col Richard Newland of REME.

Retired Lt Col John Cosh of the Royal British Legion raised the Armed Forces Day flag, assisted by standard bearer Gregor Anderson.

To close the ceremony, the town crier gave three cheers for the armed forces and the town mayor thanked everyone for their continued support for the armed forces.