A short service to honour and celebrate those who have served in His Majesty's Armed Forces will take place in Bolton on Monday.

Armed Forces Week 2023 begins next week.

On Monday there will be a short service and the raising of the Armed Forces Day Flag at 10.50am on Victoria Square.

The public are invited to attend and show their support of our Armed Forces both past and present.

The Mayor of Bolton will host a free veterans’ lunch in the town hall and all Bolton veterans are invited.

There will be live entertainment which ultimately will lead into the forces themed singalong and flag waving.

On Saturday, June 24, the annual Armed Forces Day event will take place on Victoria Square from 10.30am–3.30pm with a short service followed by a family fun day with lots of stalls and free activities such as BWFC Football stadia, Bolton Cadets on display, re-enactments, inflatables and more.

There will be military vehicles and weapons on display, supported by local 216 Bty Royal Artillery.

Cllr Ryan Bamforth, Bolton Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said:“This is an important time to honour our military and show our support for the important job they do.

“As a veteran myself, this means more now as I see the role and position in the Armed Forces world change to a thankful and supportive place.

“I am thankful for what the Armed Forces has awarded me in memories, friendships, and experiences, both good and bad.

“More importantly, I am thankful that we still have brave servicemen and women who are still out there defending us.

“I also welcome all Bolton’s veterans to the luncheon at the town hall on Monday where we will also be raising the Armed Forces Day flag to coincide with events across the country.

“It will also be great to see service personnel, Cadets and Veterans in Victoria Square with the people of Bolton enjoying the spectacle of Armed Forces Day.

“Bolton organises Armed Forces week to show our support to our Armed Forces past and present.”