A PARADE and Drumhead service was held at Clevedon seafront to celebrate both Armed Forces Day and the 65th anniversary of D-Day.

Hundreds of events were held across the UK to mark the first Armed Forces Day, organised by the Ministry of Defence as an opportunity for the nation to show support to the men and women serving their country, past and present.

The main national event at The Historic Dockyard, in Chatham, Kent, drew in crowds of more than 30,000 and was attended by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the chief of air defence staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.

In Clevedon about 100 people, a mixture of old and young, took part in the parade organised by the Royal British Legion's Clevedon branch.

Cadets took part as well as British Legion members. Led by the Avon Glen Pipe Band, they paraded from Salthouse Fields to the peace memorial at the corner of Elton Road, finishing at the bandstand.

The commemorative Drumhead service was then conducted by Major W Slade, of Clevedon Salvation Army, and music was provided by Portishead Town Band.

Shadow defence secretary and Woodspring MP Liam Fox, who regularly visits troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, was in Clevedon for both the parade and the service.

The chairman of Clevedon Town Council, Jon Middleton, was also there.

He said: "It is the first service and parade I have been to, and I was very impressed.

"There was a good attendance, lovely sunny weather and it went very well, the organisers did a great job."

More than 100 people watched the afternoon event, which The Salthouse pub supported with flag and banner decorations.

Landlord Gary Searle said: "Sharp's, the brewery, donated one barrel of Doom Bar, as did we, to sell at £2 a pint with £1 pint going to Help For Heroes.

"We sold 125 pints which means £125 goes to the charity – and some soldiers, one home on leave, came in and thanked us.

"I thought it was the least we could do for the brave soldiers who go off to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other countries."

Following the service at the bandstand, the neighbouring Hawthorns retirement home invited people in for cream teas.

John Hulse, the chairman of the British Legion's Clevedon branch, said: "More than 100 people went along to The Hawthorns after the service, and the whole day was very successful."