A CELEBRATION of those serving in the armed forces will be held in Clackmannanshire next week.

Armed Forces Day, organised by Clackmannanshire Council, will serve to hail the contribution servicemen and women have made in defending the country.

Set to take place on Friday, May 31, a parade will run through Alloa Town Centre, involving the Royal British Legion and the Dollar Academy Pipe Band.

The parade will also be made up of veterans, navy and army cadets and other youth organisations.

After marching through the town centre, the parade will finish at Alloa Town Hall, culminating in a flag raising ceremony involving local schoolchildren.

Provost Donald Balsillie, who also serves as champion for veterans and the armed forces, said: “This special event, just ahead of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, shows our servicemen and women, cadets and veterans, how much we value them and their service.

“It is also important to recognise the enormous contribution that Clackmannanshire made to the D-Day landings, which led to the liberation of Europe.

“Alloa Harbour saw the construction of 130 tank landing craft, the second highest number constructed by any port in the whole of the UK, with a workforce made up of 60 per cent women.

“One landing craft was launched every seven days and the Alloa workforce’s efforts were recognised by the British Admiralty.”

The event will kick off at 10am with a full timetable available form Clackmannanshire Council’s Events Diary page on their website.