A ceremony to celebrate the armed forces was held in Workington today.

Armed forces representatives and veterans took part in a short procession near Allerdale House, Workington.

Allerdale mayor Celia Tibble then spoke before raising the flag and paid tribute to Albert Moffat, a regular attender in the past who died recently.

She said: "Today is not about remembering those who died in the service of their country, we do that constantly.

"It is about celebrating the ongoing service that our men and women of the armed forces give to us at home and abroad.

"Sadly they are regularly involved in conflict but they are often helping vulnerable people who are caught up in these conflicts or national disasters.

"We see the Royal Navy rescuing those fleeing wars, we see medical personnel helping in countries threatened by disease, such as the recent ebola outbreak in West Africa.

"We also see them supporting communities at home in times of emergency and this was apparent during the recent floods in Cumbria and in particular in local communities in Allerdale, building bridges or strengthening flood defences.

"So today is about celebrating the ongoing contribution they make to the country and our communities and thanking them for all the work they do."

After the parade and flag-raising, a plaque was unveiled outside Allerdale House to endorse Allerdale council's support for the Armed Forces Covenant.

The covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces community.

Colonel Chris Owen, regimental secretary of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and the council’s armed forces champion, Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes, unveiled the plaque.

Colonel Owen said: "It's fantastic to be here and to be invited to take part.

"It gives you strength when you're away from home knowing that people back home appreciate you."

The ceremonies mark the run-up to Armed Forces Day, which takes place on Saturday.