VETERANS, well-wishers, troops and families turned out to pay tribute to servicemen and women at Armed Forces Day events across the county.

In Abingdon, MP Nicola Blackwood was among those marking the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag in the Market Place by Private Barry Judd, above, to honour British troops, including those from Dalton Barracks.

She said: “It is incredibly important to communicate to the soldiers exactly how much support there is out there, across Abingdon, the county and the country.”

In Wallingford, a fly past by a Merlin and Puma helicopter from RAF Benson capped a ceremony unveiling a new plaque on the town hall marking the award of the freedom of the town to The Rifles.

Honorary Colonel of the regiment, Brigadier Nigel Mogg, paid tribute to the town for saluting the work of soldiers at home and abroad.

He said: “It brings to the attention of the public what the Armed Forces are doing today on operations in Afghanistan and other countries.”

In Banbury, troops, cadets and veterans paraded through the town centre, while retired Scots Guards officer Charley Grimston staged a military band concert for 1,000 people at his home in Finmere, near Bicester, to raise more than £20,000 for the Scots Guards Colonel Fund.

See tomorrow’s Oxford Mail for a full picture round-up of all the Armed Forces Day