A GROUP of volunteers from Malvern are inviting the community to celebrate its links to the armed forces next weekend.

Malvern Armed Forces Day, which marks the centenary of the start of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of D-Day, is on at Victoria Park in Malvern Link on Saturday, June 28.

The event starts at noon with a drumhead service accompanied by a military band and attended by representatives from the Royal British Legion, Western Front Association, and the Army, Navy, and Sea Cadets.

Among the highlights will be air displays above the park by a biplane, music from the Malvern Hills Brass Band, field gun runs by the Navy Cadets, a lone piper, games for kids, face painting, and a group called the Trench Raiders who sing WW1 songs.

Among the special guests will be ex-serviceman and guide dog owner Konrad Galen-Bisping from Carmarthen, who lost his sight after suffering a training accidents in the Army.

Until he was assigned a guide dog, Mr Galen-Bisping had 24-hour carers and never went anywhere alone. But since he teamed up with guide dog Radley, his confidence returned, his independence increased and he met his wife.

Mr Galen-Bisping was named inspirational Guide Dog Owner at last year’s Guide Dogs annual awards and he is appearing at the armed forces day as the guest of Guide Dogs Ledbury and Malvern.

Town councillor Pat Mewton, one of the event's lead organisers, said: “After the tremendous success of our first armed forces day last year, and with the focus on the First World War and D Day commemorations this year, there are many links we wish to highlight and much support we can show for our armed forces and associated groups.

"There are lots of activities, side shows, stalls, demonstrations, live bands and refreshments so there really is something for every generation."