THE COUNTY is being called upon to salute our armed forces – from serving troops to their families, veterans and cadets –this weekend.

Tomorrow many communities will join together for flag raising ceremonies, parades and parties to mark national Armed Forces Day.

Oxfordshire's Royal British Legion chairman Lynda Atkins urged people to head out to show their support in numbers and have some fun.

She said: "I think showing our support for the armed forces is very important particularly to do it in a very obvious way.

"Lots of people support them in general, but it is especially about getting out to an event, being there and having fun whilst doing it.

"It is that visible support which is particularly important."

The week has already seen many communities showing their support, as families in Wallingford were given a close up tour of a Chinook from RAF Benson, which landed on the town's Kinecroft.

Crowds of families gathered on Monday afternoon to take a tour of the aircraft and to show support in the run up to the weekend.

Oxford also honoured contributions from past and present military personnel by hoisting the Armed Forces Day flag above the Town Hall.

A ceremony followed, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Oxford Mohammed Altaf-Khan and chairman of Oxfordshire County Council Michael Waine.

Ms Atkins added: "Monday went really well, although the weather was not on our side. It was a great morning at the flag raising, which kicked the event off.

"Then by the time the Chinook landed in Wallingford the weather cleared up and there were lots of people coming along – the Kinecroft was packed out."

In Witney an Armed Forces Day festival will be staged on Sunday at Witney Rugby Football Club in Hailey Road.

Music, a fun fair and military truck displays will be among the activities scheduled for the event running from 2-8pm.

There will also be a Witney RFC and Armed Forces Rugby game for supporters to get stuck into. All money raised on the day will go to various military charities.

Today in Bicester there will be a flag raising ceremony at Garth Park from 1pm before the traditional Bicester Carnival in association with armed forces day will be held on tomorrow.

A parade will set off from Bicester Leisure Centre in Queens Avenue from midday before heading to Pingle Field where there will be stalls, games and military displays including a gun run from troops at 2pm.

A 1940s barbecue will be held in Market Place Wantage, tomorrow, from 1-5pm with music, dancers and fundraisers for Help For Heroes and the Poppy Appeal.

Up in Banbury, tomorrow, a Chinook crew will join the Armed Forces Day Tattoo.

A flypast of a World War Two Hurricane fighter plane will also mark the occasion in Spiceball Park, along with a performance from the Royal Artillery Band.

If you are hosting an Armed Forces Day event, let us know at: naomi.herring@oxfordmail.co.uk