Thousands of visitors flocked to Weymouth at the weekend for Armed Forces Day celebrations.

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the celebration weekend in the town.

Events were spread over both days, with a Spitfire even performing a special flypast above the crowds before the start of the Sunday service.

On Saturday, visitors were given the opportunity to look around a number of historic military vehicles, which were stationed at Weymouth Pavilion.

The event was organised by Dorset Military Enthusiasts.

Poppy Butcher, from the group, said: “It’s wonderful to see them all and a lot of young children will be seeing them for the first time.”

The vehicles then departed in a convoy to Osprey Leisure Centre on Portland in the afternoon.

On Sunday, delegates gathered at Weymouth Cenotaph for a service of remembrance and a parade.

The service was conducted by the Mayor’s Chaplain, Revd Brian Ellis.

He said: “Welcome to Weymouth for this, the 75th anniversary and also 150 years since the foundation of Weymouth Lifeboat. There are a few things we should be celebrating and remembering today.”

“Shortly a spitfire will be flying above us. I understand it should be doing three passes and a roll. Enjoy that, enjoy the day and look after each other.”

During the service, there was an act of remembrance led by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell.

He read the poem For the Fallen before The Last Post played to commence the minute’s silence.

A military parade including historic vehicles and a number of associations, travelled from the cenotaph to Weymouth Pavilion, where residents and visitors alike were treated to coffee and music from The Decadettes.

Charlotte Brennan, aged 27, from Crewkerne, attended the service with her children Connor and Ellie-Mai Bradbury.

She said: “They need to know what happened, what was sacrificed for them to be here today.”

Cain Cumban, a 55-year-old veteran from Weymouth, said: “It’s important to support the armed forces. I was in them years ago, as was my father.”

Jeff House, 66, an RAF veteran from Weymouth, said: “I come here every year to remember my great grandfather and my great great uncle who were killed in the Second World War.”

Speaking at the Pavilion, Mayor of Weymouth Town Council, Cllr Graham Winter, said: “It’s been a wonderful day and nice to see so many veterans. We are very proud of our veterans, and the Armed Forces Day celebrations are something I think we do very well here in Weymouth.

“It’s encouraging to see so many members of the public come along, I think a lot of them have come a long way, so we thank them. Long may it continue.”

The celebrations will culminate today with a flag raising ceremony at the council offices on Commercial Road in Weymouth at 10.30am.