PEOPLE are being urged to get behind a day of celebration to support the troops at home and abroad.

Plans are well under way to celebrate this year’s Armed Forces Day on Canvey, with a parade and memorial service.

But organisers want to make sure the whole community comes out to pay tribute to the men and women fighting on the frontline.

Peter May, chairman of Canvey Island Town Council, wants veterans and the public to come together to mark the day, which takes place on Saturday, June 28.

He said: “This is the sixth year that the town council has organised an Armed Forces Day, and we invite people to come along to celebrate and honour our past, present and future Armed Forces. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.

“We also invite any veterans or serving members of the Armed Forces who have not already received a personal invitation to the event from the town council, to get in touch with our office.”

The parade will start from Castle View School’s car park, in Foksville Road, from 10.30am and will march through the town centre, in Furtherwick Road, down to Long Road and on to the Paddocks Community Centre.

The parade will be led by 2187 (Canvey Island) ATC Air Cadet squadron and include representatives from the Royal British Legion, veterans, the Sutherland Pipes and Drums, serving members of the Armed Forces, Scouts, Girl Guides, Army Cadets, youth groups and the emergency services.

A thanksgiving service will then be held at 11am outside at the Paddocks War Memorial, with the Rev David Tudor and Canvey Community Choir, with music supplied by the Band of The Queen’s Division.

A wartime exhibition will also be held in the Paddocks main hall and among the exhibitors will be the Bay Museum, South Essex Amateur Radio Society, Canvey Community Archive, Canvey Island Transport Museum and the Western Front Association.

There will be a temporary rolling road closure on the parade route from 10.30am to 11am in the town centre.