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Cornwall’s largest ever military parade takes place
Soldiers, sailors and members of the Royal Air Force joined veterans and cadets in the parade
Thousands of visitors are in Falmouth as the largest military parade ever held in Cornwall takes place.
The parade formed a central part of the national event for Armed Forces Day, being held in the county for the first time.
About 1,100 service personnel and bands paraded through the town centre from 11:00 BST.
They were accompanied by fly-pasts from the Red Arrows, Navy Merlin helicopters and an Avenger.
The Red Arrows display team flew over the parade in Falmouth
Celebrations started on Friday with dozens of school children invited to explore a military village.
Those arriving included Chelsea Pensioner Alec Legge who served for 22 years with the Royal Military Police.
The 78-year-old said: “The Cornish people have been fantastic. We were out last night pubbing and we got a tremendous reception.”
Alec Legge travelled down to Cornwall with nine other Chelsea Pensioners
The parade started at the zebra crossing point on Killigrew Street.
It then proceeded along Market Street, Church Street and Arwenack Street, past the first military village zone, taking the salute at the dais on Bar Road.
Hundreds of service personnel and veterans paraded through Falmouth
Later in the day, the RAF Falcons performed a parachute drop over Pendennis Castle and Falmouth Bay, with a further two hours of air displays later in the afternoon.
Sgt Andy Lynch said the location was ‘stunning’ as his team parachuted over Pendennis Castle.
Sergeant Andy Lynch was part of the RAF Falcons parachute display team who jumped from 7,000ft (2,133m).
He said: “It was fantastic. I can’t think of a better place to come in to over the top of the castle.
“Coming out from over the sea we could see all of the people on the beach and we got a really good visual display. This location is absolutely stunning and amazing.”
The RAF Falcons parachute display team arrive in Falmouth Bay
Cornwall Council advises people not to drive to Falmouth, aside from residents and those who work there.
There is a park and ride service based at Falmouth University’s Tremough campus in Penryn.
Falmouth train station is closed on Saturday, but Penryn, Falmouth Docks and Penmere stations remain open.
Crowds started arriving at Truro railway station on Saturday morning
In Truro crowds queued for trains “as expected”.
A spokesperson for Great Western Railway said a queuing system was in place to help people board trains.
“Trains are running half-hourly but they are expected to be extremely busy throughout the day.”
