BOTH Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) have been paying tribute this week to the work of the Armed Forces.

On Monday, there was a military parade through Winchester, overseen by Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson, Hampshire County Council chairman Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry, Andrew Joy (the county council’s Armed Forces champion), and Jane Rutter, the mayor of Winchester.

Personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force took part in the parade, which took them past the steps of The Guildhall for the salute and up the High Street to The Great Hall for the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag, where organisers say it will be flown until Saturday.

Alton county councillor Andrew Joy said: “There are well over 20,000 military personnel based in Hampshire, the largest number in any county, and we place enormous value on our long and close relationship with the Armed Forces.

“We are committed to supporting our Armed Forces community, including regulars, reservists, veterans and their families. Through the Military Covenant, which Hampshire was one of the first to sign, around £2m in grants has been secured to date for more than 50 projects across the county, which benefit service families and the wider community.”

He added: “We have always been proud of our long association with the armed services and we are proud to be able to honour the commitment and sacrifices they make for the security and well-being of our country.”

A flag has been flying also over EHDC’s offices at Penns Place in Petersfield this week.

In emphasising the importance of the work of the Armed Forces around the world, district council chairman David Ashcroft said: “This country has been fighting for freedom from oppression and for freedom of speech for hundreds of years, it’s one of our nation’s defining principles.

“That struggle is as real today as it ever was and Armed Forces Day is the one day of the year where we can express our thanks to the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our rights and keep us safe.”

Armed Forces Day organisers say showing support for the Armed Forces provides a valued morale boost for the troops and their families.