Over 450 councils across the UK and over two thousand members of the public, businesses and schools will raise a flag later this month to support Britain's first ever Armed Forces Day.

Left to right: Lieutenant Neil Dockerty RN, Captain Tom Burne, Houshold Cavalry Mounted Regiment, and Flight Lieutenant Liz Shaw of the RAF, display the Armed Forces Day Flag outside the Ministry of Defence Main Building in London

[Picture: Allan House]

The official Armed Forces Day flags will be flown as part of the celebrations to honour Britain's Armed Forces - past, present and future.

The specially designed flags, based on the Union Jack, will be raised together in ceremonies across the country at 1030hrs on Monday 22 June 2009. This will mark the beginning of a week of events leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.

Armed Forces Day flags will also be flown where British servicemen and women are serving overseas, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:

"Every day, the men and women of our Armed Forces make personal sacrifices for us, a sacrifice often shared with their families. Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for the whole country to show their appreciation of what our Service personnel have done and continue to do.

"The fact that so many councils, businesses, schools and members of the public want to show their support by flying a flag will mean a great deal, particularly to those serving this country today."

he centrepiece of the inaugural annual Armed Forces Day will be an event at The Historic Dockyard at Chatham, Kent, where there will be flypasts by the Red Arrows and veterans of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, military displays, and celebration parades.

Members of the public will also have the chance to try their hand at a whole host of activities, from assault courses to digger driving.

"The fact that so many councils, businesses, schools and members of the public want to show their support by flying a flag will mean a great deal, particularly to those serving this country today."

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones

Kevan Jones, who will be in Chatham on Saturday 27 June, added:

"The British public regularly show their gratitude to those who fight for our country, whether it is by lining the streets at homecoming parades, or giving generously to Armed Forces charities.

"The many events which are being planned up and down the country next month will be another opportunity for people to come together and show how proud they are of our veterans, soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and cadets."

In addition to the main event in Chatham, major events are also planned for Saturday 27 June in Cardiff, Blackpool, Nottingham, Southend, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester and Plymouth.