The Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Mrs. Mary Dalton, attended the War Memorial outside St. Clare’s Church on Monday 24th June to raise a flag on behalf of the Town to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week.

The Mayor was accompanied by the Mayoress, Councillor Mrs. Val Raw and was assisted by Officers from the Aycliffe Armoury and the Barnard Armoury.

The service was conducted by Pam Lovelass APM and Arthur Middleton played the bagpipes whilst the flag was raised.

Veterans and members of the public attended to mark this annual occasion which is an opportunity for local communities to be able to show their appreciation to the men and women of the Armed Forces from serving personnel to service families and recruits and veterans.