WORCESTERSHIRE County Council paid tribute to the UK's servicemen and women, past and present, by raising a flag to mark the sixth annual Armed Forces Day.

The Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, Cllr Pam Davey, said: "I speak for the county when I say that we raised the flag in honour of the bravery and dedication of our Armed Forces. In this centenary year the events of the First and Second World Wars have been brought to life with vivid images on the TV.

"Sadly we now see images of the growing tensions in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. It is vital that we hold such ceremony's to ensure that we show our support to all our armed forces. It is vital that we hold such ceremony's to ensure that we show our support to the soldiers and the cause."

Cllr Davey was joined by the Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Leader of Worcestershire County Council, Adrian Hardman, Cllr Liz Tucker, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group at Worcestershire County Council, Cllr Rob Adams, Chair of Worcestershire Armed Forces Community Covenant Partnership, Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council, Clare Marchant and Worcestershire Partnership Manager, Alan Smith.

Armed Forces Day, which is on Saturday June 28, helps to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, and gives the nation an opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the armed forces community, from currently serving troops to service families and from veterans to cadets.

Worcestershire County Council also supported the annual Uniform to Work Day on Wednesday June 25 and is sponsoring a special evening concert on Saturday 28 June at Worcester Guildhall.

The concert, which starts at 7:30pm is made even more poignant as one of the pieces has been scored by an ex-serviceman. The piece called Colours has been composed by Robert Plant, an ex-Gunner who trained with 214 Battery, 104th Regiment Royal Artillery, 5th Division.

Press Officer and 1st Horn player for Worcester Concert Brass and ATC 785 Squadron (Tewkesbury) Air Cadets, Marianne Cottee said: “'Colours' features an ensemble of voices including brass, string and percussion with a vocal part to aptly frame the sentiment of the piece.”

“It was composed in highlight of Armed Forces Day in support of those who stand to make the ultimate of sacrifices.”

She added, “A lot has gone into the writing and performance of this piece and this concert is an excellent opportunity to promote the work for the benefit of the Army family.”

Tickets for the concert cost £5 and are available from Worcester Tourist Information Centre at The Guildhall, High Street, Worcester.