Armed Forces Day: Thousands turn out in Cleethorpes

Armed Forces Day celebrations have been held in Cleethorpes for a decade

More than 200,000 people were expected to celebrate Armed Forces Day in Cleethorpes over the weekend, organisers said.

The three-day event opened with the Armed Forces Community Carnival on Friday evening.

One veteran said: "I think it’s great, people [were] coming up to you to shake your hand for what you’ve done."

Displays to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day - when Allied forces stormed beaches in Nazi-occupied France - were taking place at the Boating Lake paddock on Saturday and Sunday.

The Red Arrows joined in with the display

The main Armed Forces Day parade

A parade featuring bands and current and past members of the armed forces took place on Saturday.

The Red Arrows also performed to mark their 60th anniversary alongside displays of RAF Typhoon and RAF Tutor aircraft.

Alex Baxter, one of the organisers of the event, said the military bands “make the hair on the back of your head, if you've got any, stand up”.

Veteran David Crossland said people had come up to him to shake his hand

According to organisers, one in seven people have a military connection in North East Lincolnshire.

Mr Baxter said people travel from as far away as Australia and New Zealand to attend the annual show.

David Crossland, 65, served with the Royal Corps of Signals.

He said: “I think it’s great, people [were] coming up to you to shake your hand for what you’ve done, the sacrifice you’ve made. It’s a good atmosphere.”

Oliver, 10, and Charlotte, seven, from Scunthorpe enjoying a hands-on exhibit

Oliver, 10, who enjoyed inspecting some World War Two-era weaponry, said he thought the armed forces “deserve respect for what they do for our country”.

Mark Fisher, who travelled to the event with his wife, said: "It’s an acknowledgement of people in the armed forces. It shows public support for the armed forces which I think can only be good”.

The event continues on Sunday at 10:00 BST and will include a large air display, markets and community activities across the seafront.

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