THE North Ayrshire Armed Forces Day Parade took place on Sunday, June 30 at 11am in Irvine where veterans and servicemen and women marched in celebration and support for the military community.

Previously called Veterans’ Day, Armed Forces Day has been running since 2006, and is supported and celebrated up and down the country.

It was originally started by Gordon Brown, who believed it was a way to make sure the sacrifices made by veterans from across the UK were never forgotten.

It was renamed in 2009 to include all of the military community – not just veterans – and has since been held on the last Saturday/Sunday of June every year.

Members of The Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band, serving personnel from different military units, The Irvine Legion Branch, Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston Legion Branch, The Ayrshire Veteran Breakfast Club and North Ayrshire Provost Ian Clarkson were among those who took part in the parade at the weekend.

Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston Legion publicity Officer Suzanne Fernando said: “We thanked Irvine Legion for inviting us into their club afterwards and presented them with a limited edition portrait, which they graciously accepted.

“We had a little rain to start with in the morning but after the church service the sun was shining, it was a really lovely day.”