ORGANISERS of the Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans Celebration have already begun to look ahead to 2020 following an emotional end to this year's event in Trowbridge.

The two-day event went ahead despite initial opposition from Wiltshire Council, which wanted to focus resources and funds on the three days of Armed Forces Day national celebrations in Salisbury.

Jon Wort, chair of WAFVC, said they had succeeded in putting on the event in Trowbridge Town Park on Saturday and Sunday following support from sponsors, traders, living history groups and the public.

He said: "I am delighted to say that, despite some minor competition from the National Armed Forces Day in Salisbury on the same weekend, we have managed to fill all our pitches and have another tremendous weekend of fun, activities and stalls to see for all the family.

"This year's event has been superb. The music has been brilliant and the national Armed Forces Day event in Salisbury has had no effect on us at all.

"We've had around 100 traders and displays booked in, which is about our full capacity. They are the same people that have been coming here for the past 15 years, which just shows the loyalty they have to Trowbridge."

Trowbridge mayor Cllr David Cavill, who was entertaining the Polish Embassy Consul General Mateusz Stasiek from London, said: "I was absolutely amazed by the whole event. I thought the parade was absolutely stunning. We are lucky to have the Royal Artillery here as well as the Spitfire and Red Arrows flypasts."

The Padre, Reverend Father Eric Littler, who conducted the Drumhead Service on Sunday, urged the assembled throng to remember the Christian motto 'Love thy Neighbour' but also cautioned them to recall the Royal Navy motto 'If you wish for peace, prepare for war'.