SCORES of military personnel lined the streets of Winchester as the city marked the start of Armed Forces Week.

Civic leaders joined local people to celebrate the county’s servicemen and women by raising a flag outside of the Great Hall. Personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force also paraded through the streets.

The flag will stay raised until Armed Forces Day on June 30.

The Mayor Cllr Frank Pearson said: “Winchester is rightly proud of its strong ties with the armed forces, who have been a constant and welcome presence in and around the district for many years.

“This ceremony is not to glorify war, but to honour those members of the Joint Services who have given their lives for us, along with those who continue to go into danger on our behalf.” The county council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Andrew Joy added: “Our support for our Armed Forces community, including regulars, reservists, veterans and their families, is constant. Hampshire is home to over 20,000 serving members, as well as the largest concentration of veterans in the UK.

“The county council is proud to have been one of the first in the UK to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. It’s heartening to see and hear how service personnel, their families, veterans and the wider community in Hampshire continue to benefit from many successful projects funded by the MoD Covenant Fund.”

Lord-Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson said: “The annual Flag Raising Ceremony, which has always been well supported, is a demonstration of Hampshire’s strong commitment to the Armed Forces.”