CROWDS came out to help Bolton celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Victoria Square was packed with visitors, dignitaries and troops this afternoon as part of the annual celebrations to honour the men and women who make up the country’s armed forces.

Cadets from Bolton’s Combined Forces turned out for the event alongside veterans, the Royal British Legion, the Duke of Lancaster Regiment and the 216 Battery Bolton Artillery.

Town mayor Cllr Lynda Bryne took part in a short service and wreath laying ceremony short service at 11am followed by a wreath laying at the cenotaph.

She said: “It is a fabulous day. I come to this event every year and now it is one it is one of the first duties I’m doing as mayor which is really nice.

“Seeing all the troops, young cadets and veterans is wonderful.

“We hold our armed forces and cadets in very high esteem in Bolton.”

Events included displays from the armed forces, cadets, and the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, and inter cadet challenges.

There was also an Armed Forces Marketplace, live music and stalls from charities and local history societies, including memorabilia and old photographs.

Leah Thompson, a 15-year-old army cadet from Bolton (LANCS) said: “I only joined in November so this is my first time getting involved and coming out to meet the community who have come along to support us.

“It is nice to see the amount of people here today including friends from other detachments, as well as speaking the veterans about what it was like when they were serving.”

Robert Cross, aged 80, from Bolton, served in Egypt and Cyprus with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and attended the event with fellow veterans.

He said: “I think the cadets do very well, it is good to see them.

“I enjoy coming to these events a lot.”

Veteran Geoffrey Lowe, aged 70, served 15 years with the Royal Regiment, now known as the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and was a standard-bearer in today’s ceremony.

“It is a wonderful day and good to see people turning out for the event though we didn’t know what the weather was going to be like,” he added.

Stalls of fundraisers lined the square today with activities and displays going on.

Bolton FM is also facilitating a quiet zone for reflection and intergenerational discussions between veterans, serving forces and the public.

Visitor Anisa Bhatti, aged 65 from Deane, was in full praise of the celebrations.

She said: “Whenever this event comes on I come down to have a peek. It’s lovely, really, really, lovely.

“It’s nice out to be such a nice day.”

The day ended with a short ceremony to lower the flag and closing speeches.