SKIPTON shoppers were treated to a display of standards as Armed Forces Week began with a parade and blessing in front of Skipton Town Hall this morning.

The Armed Forces flag was raised as the Craven District Council chairman Councillor Wendy Hill joined veterans for a special ceremony which promted applause from the watching crowd.

However, a broken cord meant the flag could not be raised on the flagpole at the town hall and instead it is flying from neighbouring Holy Trinity Church.

The event began with a parade in Skipton High Street by the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery – the Yorkshire Gunners – from 10.30am.

The flag was then raised at the town hall at 11am in front of veterans from the Royal British Legion.

A blessing and prayer was read out by Reverend Veronica James, of Skipton's Holy Trinity Church, accompanied by crucifer Brian Harrison.

Skipton's parade mirrored similar events going on around the UK and will conclude on Sunday, July 1, coinciding with Sheep Day, in Skipton.

The flag will then be lowered and presented to Shirley Haigh, the first woman to receive the flag in Skipton.

Mrs Haigh joined the Wrens in 1949 and served for two years; her unit was on stand-by during the Korean War, and she served in the Royal Naval Hospital Chatham and the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar.

Councillor Linda Brockbank, Craven District Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “We’re delighted to have the Yorkshire Gunners parading in the town to mark the raising of the flag, and it’s fantastic that the Armed Forces flag will be received by a woman for the first time in Skipton.

“Armed Forces Week is a great opportunity for us all to honour the men and women, past and present, who have served their country.”

The Armed Forces Week events are being organised by Skipton Town Partnership with support from Skipton Town Council and Craven District Council.