ALL parts of the military community, from cadets to veterans, were present as the Armed Forces Day flag was raised at the Forest Council offices in Coleford.

It is the first time that serving soldiers, reservists, veterans and cadets have all been present for the ceremony.

The flag was raised by Corporal Jon Slip, a Forester who serves with 501 Squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force based at Braize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Armed Forces Day, which celebrates the contribution made by military personnel, is on Saturday (June 27) and the flag will be flown every day until then.

The council's vice-chairman, Cllr James Bevan (Con, Lydney East) said: "Armed Forces Day provides us with an opportunity to do two things: to show this council's support and appreciation of all those men and women who serve and have served in Her Majesty's armed forces and to demonstrate our support for those who make up the whole armed forces community.

"This year I am pleased to welcome representatives from HMS Cambria, the Rifles, 501 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force and representatives from the British Legion and 614 (Lydney) Squadron Air Training Corps.

"In the run-up to Armed Forces Day, this council will pay tribute to our extended service family by flying the Armed Forces Day flag.

"In particular we do this to demonstrate our support for our local battalion, 1 Rifles, who are part of our own Forest of Dean community.

"We also remind ourselves of all the service families who have to endure regular and long periods of separation."

Armed Forces Day will also be marked in Coleford on Saturday with a ceremony at the Coleford clock tower at 10.45am organised by the town's branch of the British Legion.

The Dean Forest Railway is also supporting Armed Forces Day with a display of military vehicles over the weekend.

Members of the British Legion will have a stall at the railway's Norchard Centre and there will be collections for the Poppy Appeal on trains.