A SPECIAL flag to honour the men and women of the armed forces has been hoisted aloft Dudley Council House today.

The Armed Forces Flag is now flying from the top of the Priory Road building and will stay there all week leading up to Armed Forces Day.

Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, led a civic ceremony this morning to mark the start of the council’s huge celebrations on June 28 at Himley Hall and Park.

Cllr Waltho said: “The event in the council chamber went very well and I thank all of the civic dignitaries and armed forces personnel from past and present for attending and making it such a success.

“The flag will now fly with pride throughout the week as we look forward to our Armed Forces Day event at Himley on Sunday.”

A number of civic dignitaries also attended the flag raising event, which included a short address from the mayor, a poem reading and a prayer.

Celebrations will reach a climax on June 28 at Himley Hall and Park on the Armed Forces Day, with a full family day of free activities.

The event includes a flypast by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, a performance from The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment and ex-military vehicle display and a vintage fair.

Children’s entertainment includes Punch and Judy shows, go karts, a zip line, climbing walls, a paintball range and a ferris wheel.

The popular youth marching band competition starts at 11am in the main arena in front of the hall before the formal proceedings start at around 2.30pm where veterans will be presented with HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges by the Mayor.

Anyone who has received a veteran’s badge but has not had it formally presented to them before, can contact Dudley Council on 01384 811561 to be part of the ceremony.

For more information on the Armed Forces Day celebrations in the borough visit www.dudley.gov.uk