THE two-day Wiltshire Armed Forces and Veterans Celebrations in Trowbridge finished on a high note on Sunday with two flypasts by the Red Arrows and a Spitfire.

They were brought to a close at an emotional Drumhead Service in the Town Park following the traditional parade through the streets.

The procession from County Hall to the Town Park was led by the 14th Regiment of the Royal Artillery, who took the salute from the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, William Wyldbore-Smith, and other VIPs outside the Town Hall.

Trowbridge Mayor Cllr David Cavill, who was entertaining Consul General Mateusz Stasiek from the Polish Embassy in 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.

"It was good to see so many young people taking part and, in particular, to see so many young women as serving members of our armed forces. I was really pleased about that.

"The whole event has packed a huge emotional punch."

Mr Wyldbore-Smith, a retired solicitor, also added his praise, saying: "It has been a wonderful parade and it has been a beautiful service to round off the day. It has been good to see so many cadets and members of the RBL taking part."

The Drumhead Service at the Twon Park bandstand was conducted by the Padre, Reverend Father Eric Littler, from Warminster, who urged the assembled throng to remember the Christian motto ‘Love thy Neighbour’.

But he also cautioned them to recall the Royal Navy motto 'Si vis pacem, para bellum' (Latin), which translates as ‘If you wish for peace, prepare for war’.