MORE THAN 2,000 veterans will march as part of Weymouth and Port-land’s Armed Forces Day Celebrations.

Organisers gathered to launch what they hope will be the biggest yet with a week of events beginning on Saturday, June 23.

This year’s celebration has even more significance as it marks the 100th year of the Royal Engineers Association (REA), which provides financial and other assistance to serving and former members of the Corps.

Major Ian Drummond said: “The Royal Engineers Assoc-iation is an organisation that looks after serving and retired people in the military and supports those that need help. This year, it has donated more than £700,000 in grants.

“Both the Royal Engineers and the Royal Engineers Association will be taking part in the weekend’s events.

“The Royal Engineers Association is thrilled that Weymouth and Portland Borough Council recognise our 100 years and all that we provide for military servicemen both still serving and retired.”

Maiden Newton at War and the Echo-backed Armour and Embarkation event will also take place during the same weekend of Second World War commemoration.

Armed Forces Day organiser Poppy Butcher said: “I am very much looking forward to it.

“On the day of the parade and vehicle convoy, I will be booking all the vehicles in and making sure they don’t go out of line or get up to any mischief.

“It’s so important for young people to learn about the war and the part we all played.

“There will not just be veterans from the Second World War at the celebration but veterans from many wars and serving military.

“I was working at Portland dock at the time of D-Day. I was 16-years-old and it was all very exciting. There were so many soldiers.”

More than 25,000 people are expected to take to the streets to welcome the parade.

The council’s head of tourism Matt Ryan said: “Weymouth and Portland is very proud to have the opportunity to stage one of the country’s leading veteran events.

“The borough embraces every aspect of the celebrations and looks forward to giving a warm and hospitable welcome to many thousands of veterans, armed forces personnel, family and friends”.

• The Armed Forces Day Celebrations will kick off with HQ Wyke Regis Training Area beach assault and bridge building.

Other highlights for Saturday, June 23 will include a Hurricane Flypast and a big band dance. The open air church service, parade and vehicle convoy will take place on Sunday, June 24.

For more information, visit visitweymouth.co.uk or call 01305 785747.