Carterton will turn yellow again next month as part of an annual celebration to mark the efforts of service men and women in the armed forces.

The Yellow Ribbon Foundation, set up by Carterton residents Emma Cheedy and Victoria Evans in 2005, will mark its third annual Forces Week from March 24 to March 31.

Thousands of troops pass through the town every year on their way to RAF Brize Norton and on to war-torn corners of the world, such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Shops and businesses in the town will be provided with posters, balloons, ribbons and the foundation’s mascots Combat Bear and Combat Bear Cadet.

Mrs Evans, of Latimer Road, said: “The day before Forces Week begins, the whole town just goes yellow. Shops decorate their windows with various displays and the bank has balloon stands. It’s an amazing sight.

“We don’t even have to ask people to take part – they do it automatically.

“The Yellow Ribbon is a way to show the nation how proud we are of the men and women serving in the British armed forces – where ever they may be in the world, and whatever their role.”

The mother-of-three said the aim was to do something special for troops as they touched down at Brize Norton. The pair, with the help of Mrs Evans’ 13-year-old son Kieran, designed a Welcome Home banner which was installed in the arrivals terminal in June.

Mrs Evans said: “We wanted to ensure that every soldier, sailor and airman was welcomed back properly. It’s the first thing that those returning from operational duties see when they touch down on UK soil.”

Other projects the Yellow Ribbon Foundation has set up include Combat Bear and Combat Bear Cadet’s world tour.

The toys have proved popular among both adults and children.

Personnel flying out to war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Iraq have taken the bears with them as reminders of home.

While on duty they have taken pictures of the bears in various places, and one bear is currently on a six-month deployment earning his Afghanistan medal, in Kandahar.

Mrs Cheedy, of Netheravon, has now moved on from the foundation and joined the Lightning Beaver Colony, 2nd Brize Norton RAF Air Scout Group, as leader.

Mrs Evans added: “They are very lucky to have such a dedicated person leading them.”

For more details on the Forces Week, call Mrs Evans on 0845 094 1169 or visit yellowribbon.org.uk hcover@oxfordmail.co.uk