A poignant service marked Armed Forces Day in the county town.

Veterans and cadets marched from West Walks to the Borough Gardens on Saturday, where a service was held near the bandstand.

Led by the Rev Thomas Woodhouse, the service thanked the men and women who serve, and have served, in the Armed Forces at home and abroad.

After the service, Mayor of Dorchester, Cllr Susie Hosford, presented badges to veterans.

The Durnovaria Band took to the bandstand and performed for the afternoon, along with pupils from St Osdmund’s Middle School and The Decadettes.

George Osborne, chairman of the Royal Naval Association’s Dorchester branch, said: “Today is in recognition of the armed forces.

“It was first started for veterans, but there are fewer of them around now.

“If it wasn’t for the veterans a lot of people would not be here now.

“If it wasn’t for my generation, the world would be a different place today.”

Throughout the day there were many stalls to browse, including the RNA, cancer support group Butterflies, Dorchester Disabled Club, the Weymouth and Portland Royal Air Force Association and local historian Brian Bates, who illustrated Dorchester’s contribution to the Second World War.

Entertainment was provided throughout the day and a children’s competition was held.

The UK’s annual Armed Forces Day officially took place on June 24 and a flag raising ceremony was held outside county hall the following Monday.

It aims to raise awareness of the contribution made to the country by the Armed Forces and to show support for the servicemen and women who serve and have served.

Keith Mullen, from the Dorchester Armed Forces Committee, said the event went well, but admitted he was disappointed with the number of people involved in the parade.

“The event itself went well,” he said. “I was disappointed by the amount of people marching but that’s to be expected as we get older.

“It’s important we have young people involved in these things.

“We’re always looking for new members and we’d like to see young people with new ideas.

“But the day itself went really well.

“Everyone there enjoyed it.”

Anyone interested in joining the committee can contact Roy Dean on 01305 853442.