Thurrock Council’s annual event to commemorate the British Armed Forces took place this week with scores of people joining together outside the Civic Offices in Grays.

A moments silence, prayers and speeches from Mayor of Thurrock, Tunde Ojetola, Leader of the Council, Rob Gledhill and Rev Canon Darren Barlow, filled the streets as people gathered to show respect for our countries Armed Forces.

Mr Ojetola opened the event by welcoming everybody. He said: “Welcome to what is the ninth time we have held this ceremony here in New Road.

“Armed Forces Day has enabled our nation to show its support for the servicemen and women of the Royal Navy, the Army and Royal Air Force at events across the country.

“But it is not just the current serving personnel who we pay tribute to here today; but the whole wider forces community: the service families; the veterans of all ages; the cadet forces; and the volunteers who support them.

“All of these people deserve our praise and support – and not just on this special day, but the year round.”

Mr Gledhill spoke before raising the flag. He said: “I, as well as all of us here, am proud of our armed services, the personnel who have served and continue to serve our great country, its citizens and our friends and allies.

He finished by adding: “We should not just take a moment today to honour our armed forces; we should take a moment every day to honour those who freely volunteer to serve our great nation and to help keep us all safe.”

For information on support for armed services personnel go to thurrock.gov.uk/armed-forces