A token larger than the Olympic relay torch has arrived in Bridport to honour 100 years of the RAF.

The Bridport and Lyme Regis RAF Association registered members group is celebrating the centenary of the RAF with the arrival of the RAFA Trenchard Token.

The token is currently on display at the RSPCA shop on West Street, and will form part of the Bridport Carnival procession when it will be paraded aboard a 1950s military Land Rover.

It is one of three being relayed around 85 RAF Association branches and local RAF units in the three areas.

Once they have travelled through their areas, covering hundreds of miles, they will be reunited at the Birmingham International Tattoo in November to represent the formation of the RAF and the end of its centenary year.

Each token commemorates a different aspect of the formation of the RAF.

The South Western Area will carry the token representing marshal of the Royal Air Force, Lord Trenchard, who was known as the father of the RAF.

Wales, Midland and South Western Area director of the RAF Association, Paul Baker, said: “The RAF Association is all about keeping people connected to each other, to the RAF and to their local communities. Our token tour is doing the same thing. We hope that it will inspire people to learn more about the RAF’s history, join the RAF Association and donate to support our work, so we can continue supporting the RAF family for the next 100 years.

“We wanted something that would capture the public’s imagination and the events that Bridport and Lyme Regis Group have created to celebrate the RAF’s centenary are really engaging.”

On Sunday, the token will be handed over at Middle Pymore Farm Airstrip, when it will be taken by microlight or light aircraft for Dunkeswell/Honiton RAFA.

The RAF marked its centenary on April 1 and local and national commemorations are set to continue until September this year.

For more information, visit rafa.org.uk