THE town turned out in force to observe the annual Armed Forces Day parade as preparations build towards the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

The national event is an opportunity to show support and salute our forces for all they do.

It was an especially significant ceremony this year, marking a century since the Battle of the Somme – the largest battle on the Western Front during the First World War, in which more than one million men were killed or wounded.

The Union Jack will fly at full mast above the Town Hall on Friday, July 1 from 7.30am – the moment the men went over the top, at the commencement of the offensive.

The Armed Forces Day parade featured serving personnel, ex-service men and women, cadets and various local veterans’ organisations, who advanced across Victoria Square to the War Memorial for a service and prayers led by Reverend Dr Chris Stafford.

It was attended by Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens, Councillors Dave and Jeanette Banks, and the Civic Party.

There was a flugelhorn solo by Freya Summers of the St Helens Youth Brass Band, which later performed a selection of WWI songs entitled ‘1914 March Medley’; singer/songwriter Eleanor Nelly played an original acoustic composition; there was a reading of a poem written by former Royal Marine Alex Cockers and another penned by ex-Royal Air Force Gunner David Shields; and all joined voices for God Save the Queen.

Meanwhile, at Mesnes Park, Newton residents gathered for a picnic in the park in celebration of Armed Forces Day, where young people from Newton-le-Willows Royal Marines Cadets and Sea Cadets paraded.