SHOWING their support, the Red Ensign will fly at Wyre Forest House, home to Wyre Forest District Council, on Merchant Navy Day to raise awareness of the UK's ongoing dependence on Merchant Navy seafarers

On Thursday, September 3, Councillor Chris Rogers, chairman of the council, will raise the flag at 10am on behalf of the council answering a nationwide call from the Seafarers UK charity and the Merchant Navy Association for the UK Merchant Navy's official flag to be flown on public buildings and landmark flagstaffs.

The charity's president, HRH The Earl of Wessex, has endorsed the campaign.

He said: "On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy."

Cllr Rogers said: "It is an honour that I am raising the flag to mark Merchant Navy Day. I would like to urge residents to attend the Flag Flying Ceremony and if appropriate to wear their full military regalia, berets, blazers or uniform to mark the occasion."

As an 'island nation' the UK relies on Merchant Navy seafarers for 95 per cent of its imports, including half the food the population eats. The UK has the largest ports industry in Europe - 75 per cent of the country's exports (by volume) are shipped from UK ports, some of which are supporting the campaign by encouraging visiting ships to sound their horns at the same time as the raising of the flag.

For more information, visit merchantnavyfund.org/merchant-navy-day.