Dorset Council will honour Merchant Navy Day with a flag raising ceremony.

The ceremony, will be held at 9.30am today (Tuesday September 3) outside the county hall in Colliton Park, Dorchester.

It will be led by vice-chair of the council Cllr Les Fry, Merchant Navy branch chairman, Captain David Knight will also be in attendance as will the Weymouth and Portland Merchant Navy, with members of the Royal Naval Association and Weymouth Sea Cadets.

Also in attendance will be Captain David Parsons MNM, National Secretary of Merchant Navy Association with Dignitaries including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Angus Campbell CVO, the Mayor & Mayoress of Dorchester, Cllr Robin Potter and Mrs Val Potter, the Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell and the Mayor of Portland Cllr Sheila Miles and her Escort Deputy Mayor Cllr Charlie Flack.

Cllr Les Fry said, “In tribute to the commitment, bravery and self-sacrifice of our current and former seafarers, we are proud to raise the Red Ensign to support Merchant Navy Day. The Merchant Navy has played a crucial part in our history, keeping supply lines open during two World Wars and reaching far-away places of the world like the Falklands to defend our citizens.

“Today, there are around 80,000 men and women working at sea. They continue to bring in over 90 per cent of our imports. We owe them our deep respect and gratitude.”

Merchant Navy Day, held annually on September 3, acknowledges and honours the role of the merchant navy in global trade and national security, from serving in both World Wars to facing the perils of storms to transport everyday items like food and fuel.