A SPECIAL flag flying ceremony will honour the British Armed Forces at Bewdley Museum next week.

The event, arranged by Wyre Forest District Council, will take place at the museum on Monday (June 19).

Guests are asked to arrive at 10am ready for a parade. A parade marshal will lead standard bearers from armed forces associations through the museum to the front of the building, where they will gather for a ceremony.

At 10.15am, guests will be formally welcomed by Councillor David Little, chairman of WFDC, followed by prayers. The flag will be raised at 10.30am to honour the British Armed Forces past, present and future.

Councillor Marcus Hart, council leader, said: "The flag flying ceremony is a great opportunity for everyone to show their support for our Armed Forces.

"This includes troops who are currently serving and their families as well as veterans and cadets.

"Residents are welcome to come along, and if appropriate to wear their military regalia, berets, blazers or uniform to mark the occasion."

The council has two armed forces champions - Councillor Jeff Baker and Councillor Nicky Gale.

Cllr Baker said: "Cllr Gale and I are delighted to be armed forces champions. Our role is to make sure that the council achieves its commitments to the armed forces community which are set out in the Worcestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant.

"We hope this ceremony will help to strengthen the ties between the armed forces community and our community here in Wyre Forest."

The district council is one of hundreds of councils across the country taking part in a week of official celebrations in honour of armed forces. The national centrepiece of the celebrations is on Saturday, June 24, in Liverpool, and local events will be taking place across the country.

Cllr Gale, who is also Mayor of Kidderminster, added: "As a council we feel that it is important to support and be part of the official celebrations taking place across the country.

"We have been joining in for several years now, alternating where the ceremony takes place between Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley.

"Please come along to Bewdley on Monday, June 19, it is only a short ceremony and gives everyone an opportunity to show their support and salute our forces for all they do."

Kidderminster will be holding its first armed forces and veterans breakfast club on Saturday, July 1, from 9.30am at the Gatsby Emporium, in Oxford Street. All ex-servicemen and women are welcome.

For more information about the flag flying ceremony, visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk.