HUNDREDS of people gathered for a poignant service in Bradford to mark Armed Forces Day.

The event included parades and a two minutes' silence to remember the courage and bravery of those serving, both past and present.

The vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Tim Hare said: “Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for the nation to show support and give a much-needed morale boost for the men and women who make up our Armed Forces, both young and old.

“This is an historic service going back many centuries.”

The 1224 Wharfedale Squadron Cadet Band led a parade of standard bearers from Channing Way into Centenary Square to begin Saturday’s 30-minute service, which included it playing Elmer Bernstein’s theme to the Great Escape.

This was followed by a drumhead service led by The Rev Canon Sam Corley, chaplain to the Royal British Legion (Bradford Central) branch.

An exhortation was also given by a member of the Royal British Legion Bradford branch.

The service attracted passers-by, Armed Forces veterans, Bradford Council officials, including deputy leader Councillor Val Slater and the former Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Mike Gibbons.

The current Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Joanne Dodds said: “I feel that it’s so important that we continue to remember the men and women of our Armed Forces.

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“This continues to be a poignant service in Bradford each year.”

The West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service Band also performed at the annual event.

Peter Dufton, of Bradford, a Royal Military Police Association West Yorkshire Branch member who served in Korea during the 1950s, attended the event and said it is vital people honour the Armed Forces.

He said: “It’s very important that we keep this tradition going. It was a very respectful service.”

The free event also featured jazz band Twelve Bars from Mars playing a wide selection of music from the 1920s to 1940s. An authentic swing band, Swingmathing, rounding off the day’s activities.

There was also a display of military vehicles and a climbing wall at the Centenary Square site.

This was one of a host of events taking place in town’s and cities across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day.

Organiser Loraine Radcliffe, civic affairs manager at Bradford Council, said: “We have had hundreds of people at this year’s event.

“It shows there is a good relationship between Bradford and the Armed Forces."

“It’s a community event that brings everyone together.”

The day was also marked in Ilkley yesterday and in Keighley on June 21.