Armed forces Day procession cancelled

The Armed Forces Family Fun Day in Peterborough city centre went ahead last week, but the procession for this weekend has been cancelled

An Armed Forces Day procession has been cancelled ahead of this weekend.

Peterborough City Council called off the event on Saturday after what it called "unforeseen circumstances".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said it understood there had been an insufficient ratio of cadet instructors to cadets due to take part in the procession.

Jason McNally, the council's Armed Forces champion, said he was "disappointed," but the situation was out of his control.

An Armed Forces Family Fun Day did take place on Saturday, 21 June, in Cathedral Square, as well as the raising of the flag on June 23 at the Town Hall.

A council spokesperson said: "Thank you also to all of the acts and stallholders who made Saturday happen – it is so important to recognise the work of our military personnel, past and present.

"Unfortunately, our civic procession planned for Saturday morning [June 28] has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, but hopefully all of those who [previously] attended enjoyed the two events which supported the Armed Forces Community."

Mr McNally added: "It's unfortunate, but we had a good Armed Forces Family Fun Day, people seemed to enjoy that, and the raising of the flag was good as well.

"We can only work on a better one for next year and keep up the good work."

Armed Forces Day takes place every year on the last Saturday of June.