ARMED Forces Day is marked proudly in Bolton every year.

But the occasion, which falls today, Saturday, will be very different to previous years due to the coronavirus crisis.

The town centre will not be packed out to commemorate the event including veterans and serving troops, like there usually are.

Social distancing restrictions that have been imposed by the Government to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 have led to mass gatherings being put on hold.

Bolton Council has marked Armed Forces Day in a number of ways though.

Bolton Town Hall and the war memorial has been lit red, white and blue all week since Monday.

The Armed Forces flag has also been flown from the local authority’s building all week with it set to come down at dusk today.

And Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Linda Thomas, laid a wreath at the war memorial at 10am on Monday on behalf of the town to remember the men and women who gave their lives for their country.

The Bolton News:

Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Linda Thomas, lays a wreath at the war memorial on Monday

The music of Dame Vera Lynn, who died last week aged 103 and was famous for entertaining troops during the Second World War, has been played across the town hall square intermittently throughout the week.

The council has been asking residents to salute our armed forces and send it photographs or videos to the mayor’s office at mayorsoffice@bolton.gov.uk as well.

They will be shared on the Mayor of Bolton Facebook page today and saved in the council’s archive services.

Cllr Thomas, said: “We have always been supportive of the armed forces, it is very important to Bolton.

“Normally the whole week leading up to Armed Forces Day would be taken up by celebrating and commemorating it.

"The town hall usually has something on each day but we could just not do that this year unfortunately."

Council leader, Cllr David Greenhalgh, added: "Despite us being still in lockdown, it is hugely important to us, as a council, that Armed Forces Week is marked and celebrated.

"The town hall and cenotaph have been lit in red, white and blue, the armed forces flag has flown proudly over the town hall, and the mayor has laid a wreath on our cenotaph on behalf of the borough to remember all those men and women who have died for our country.

"And of course, our own very special tribute to Dame Vera Lynn as her music is played out across Victoria Square.

"We are proud to recognise our armed forces, thank them for protecting us, and remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."

Bolton History Centre at Bolton Libraries has been gathering information about military life to add to its virtual war memorial, which will go online.

People have been encouraged to share details from their military ancestors who were born, lived or enlisted in Bolton.

To get involved click here or email archives@bolton.gov.uk.