THE Ministry of Defence has donated £10,000 to support the borough’s annual Armed Forces Day Celebrations in Weymouth which will take place from June 21-27.

The celebrations will welcome thousands of veterans, residents and visitors to a packed programme of military and veterans commemorations and celebrations.

The borough’s biggest event will include a service of remembrance, a seafront veterans parade, displays and activities recognising the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

There will also be a beach assault and bridge building exercise plus a military vehicle convoy travelling from Weymouth Esplanade to Castletown on Portland.

Castletown will be an ideal location for people to meet and greet the convoy on Saturday, June 21.

During the festival there will be a flypast by a historic Second World War Spitfire plane and marching and performing bands will play.

Matt Ryan, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Head of Tourism and Events, said: “This is excellent news for this high profile borough festival, a resounding success for the organising team, local veterans and the borough council.”