VETERANS proudly marched through Weymouth during a weekend of remembrance.

Crowds flocked to the seafront to pay tribute to the heroes from the armed forces and remember their fallen comrades.

The veterans' parade saw local veterans and former armed services personnel from all over the country come together to march along the Esplanade today.

The parade included the town's Armed Forces Day celebrations.

Weymouth Pavilion was specially opened just for the weekend to give veterans somewhere to meet and use facilities.

Festival highlights include a remembrance service, a seafront parade recognising the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic, five marching and performing bands and a military vehicle convoy from Weymouth Esplanade to Castletown on Portland.

Although a flypast by a Lancaster bomber over Weymouth seafront was called off due to strong winds.

There were 80 historic vehicles this year and more than 2,500 participants in the whole event.

On Saturday, residents and visitors flocked to watch the beach assault followed by a bridge building demonstration on Weymouth Beach.

Ronald Checketts MBE, of Christchurch, served as a leading telegraphist in the Second World War.

The 92-year-old, who took part in the parade, said: “This is a really important event because it gets all the veterans and old comrades together and shows the public what we did in years gone by.”

Clifford Price, 72, who served as an army bandsman in many different countries from 1959, travelled from South Wales to take part.

He said: “It is important that people never forget old and fallen comrades, it is a special day.”

Steve Davies, who is events manager for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “The parade was a huge success and everything went really smoothly.”

Coun Ian Bruce, council tourism and culture spokesman, said: “This is our borough's most prestigious annual event and a chance for all our residents and visitors to show their support for our armed services.”

The Ministry of Defence has also supported this year's week-long festival with a £10,000 grant.

Organiser Poppy Butcher, 84, said the commemorative event, which attracts people from all over the country, began in 1994.