WIRRAL's mayor has paid tribute to the armed forces community during a special flag-raising ceremony this week. 

Cllr Jerry Williams was joined by members of 234 (Wirral) Supply Squadron Royal Logistic Corps veterans and young people from the Combined Cadet Force at Birkenhead High School Academy to raise the flag for Armed Forces Day outside Birkenhead town hall on Thursday (June 22).

Armed Forces Day is tomorrow (Saturday, June 24).

Wallasey and Birkenhead town halls now join hundreds of other public buildings and landmarks across the country to show support for serving personnel and their families, veterans and cadets.

The gardens of Hamilton Square will also be illuminated red, white and blue on Saturday for Armed Forces Day.

The Mayor said: "Armed Forces Day is a great opportunity for us all to take a moment to celebrate and reflect on the contribution our Armed Forces community - including their families – make to all of our lives.

"It provides an opportunity to remember what previous generations have done to secure the freedoms we have today; we owe our veterans a huge debt of gratitude.

"It's also about the future. Cadet groups do so much to nurture the next generation, giving them confidence and invaluable life skills they will take with them through adult life".

Armed Forces Day celebrations continue on Sunday (June 25) with a special event at Belvidere playing fields in Wallasey from 12.30pm-6pm.

Organised by Wallasey RNA, Wirral Joint Services Club and Veterans DIY, the free family event will include around 40 local business stalls, live music, military displays, a bouncy castle and assault course.

There will be two Corps of drums one from the Merseyside Royal Marine Cadets and one from the Army. There will also be two groups playing as well through the afternoon. There will be a display from the RAF Cadets doing a Continuity Drill Sequence.

There will be stalls selling various things; the Sea Cadets, Navy, Army, Air Cadets and RBL will also have stalls for recruitment.

The Army will provide a miniature assault course for the children to try.

There will be ice cream and food wagons as well as a bar for over 18s.

The Wirral Infobank website has information about lots of veteran support groups in Wirral and beyond.

For more information about Armed Forces Day, including details of special events and photographs of celebrations taking place across the country, visit the official Armed Forces Day website.