Generations united in Timsbury on Saturday to mark the efforts of Britain's Armed Forces.

Hundreds of people packed the village's Recreation Field on Armed Forces Day, rekindling the wartime spirit to honour past and present servicemen and woman.

Engineer Simon Doell served in the Territorial Army for 13 years and brought his son Joshua, seven, and daughter Lauren, six, to the event.

He said: "I was always interested in the Army and I think the military has been neglected by the Government. It is good to see they are starting to realise it is an important facet of this country and its traditions."

There was a Second World War battle simulation, with former soldiers recalling their memories of what is was like to fight, and visitors were shown how to blow up an enemy tank as part of a Home Guard training school.

Cadet forces were in attendance, as were regimental associations and ex-service organisations and charities.

A sunset ceremony with some of the county's former Land Army girls brought the afternoon's activities to a close, with the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Elizabeth Gass taking the salute.

The celebrations continued into the evening with a Second World War-themed dance.

But 111-year- old Harry Patch, now known as Britain's last Tommy, was unable to attend as he was unwell on the day.

John Prior, county secretary of the Royal British Legion, said: "The event was a great success. We struck lucky with the weather and the crowds turned out in force.

"In fact, I heard a villager comment that they had never seen so many people on the Recreation Ground.

"The themed dance in the evening was also a great success, with almost all the 250 tickets sold.

"There was a wonderful array of Second World War costumes and a great atmosphere throughout the evening."