The people of Workington and beyond turned out in their hundreds to celebrate the work of service personnel past and present at the town's 10th annual Armed Forces Day event.

Everyone from long-term veterans to forces cadets and civic dignitaries gathered on Pow Street to begin the day's events with a parade to Vulcan Park, and well-wishers lined the streets, with many waving flags and balloons in support of the dedicated service given by members of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

The parade was led by the North Tyneside Pipe Band.

Canon Bryan Rowe led a brief drumhead service at the cenotaph, before the parade continued to Workington Royal British Legion Club, where lunch was provided for all those taking part, and hours of activities and entertainment was laid on.

Local poet John Hastings recited pieces he had written about the forces, including one he had penned specifically for the event by request.

The oldest veteran taking part in the parade was thought to be 91-year-old Jim Park from Whitehaven, who was invited by Workington Royal British Legion's Women's Section after they met him at a recent commemoration event in his home town.

The former Royal Navy Medical Branch serviceman said: "It's been a great day. As a serviceman you've known so many and you've lost so many. You can't forget what the armed forces do."

Richard Hill, 69, of Whitehaven, served with the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards from 1968 to 1977 and takes part in the town's Armed Forces Day parade every year. He said: "It's important to remember those who served and those who are serving now. It's celebrating their courage.

"I enjoy the comradeship. Even though we are all from different regiments we are all brothers. It's like a family and I'm proud to see the younger generation coming through."

Joe Jolly, 72, of Workington, served with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment in the 1960s and has also taken part in the event annually.

He said: "You're marching with veterans and with those who were actually in the war. We all meet up and you see people you don't see from one year to the next."

Bill Wardle, 82, of Braithwaite, served at RAF Butterworth in Malaya from 1955 to 1957.

He said: "I'm here today to meet our old comrades. The numbers are dwindling as we get older but it's nice to meet up with people who are still with us to remember those who aren't.

"It's fantastic to see the younger generation going into the armed forces. We'd like to see more of them. It's a brilliant opportunity for apprentices to join."

For the first year, the newly-formed Workington Veterans' Hub was represented at the parade, which attracted about 30 of its members.

The hub operates out of the Army Reserve centre on Annie Pit Lane and is open from 10am to noon on the last Saturday of each month, giving former service personnel the chance to meet up and signposting them to any support they might need.

Dave Tennyson, of the hub, served with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment from 1991 to 1999, and was called back to service from 2003 to 2004.

He said: "It's important to have this event to remember the sacrifice people are making on a daily basis not just in the community but on an international level. We've got forces representing the country throughout the world all the time and they need to be supported.

Mayor of Workington Janet King was among the civic dignitaries who turned out to support the parade.

She said: "It's very important because it shows support for our armed forces, both the veterans and current serving personnel. It's good for the town to come out and support them."

The event was organised by a committee from Workington Royal British Legion Club, led by Pat Lavin and Lesley Jackson.

Pat said: "It's gone really brilliantly. It's the best one so far and very well supported.

"Everybody seems to just remember World War One and World War Two but I think it's important to remember today's folks serving all over the world."

Lesley added: "It's marvellous. It's just lovely that all these people still come together after 10 years.

"It's lovely to see the crowds and the affection they've got for the armed forces."

Fundraising events take place throughout the year to support the free entertainment provided on Armed Forces Day.

Events to support the 2020 day will begin on September 28 with a danceathon.

Next year's Armed Forces Day will be on Saturday, June 27.