PEOPLE lined the streets of Bolton town centre on Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day.

At 10.30am the Mayor, Cllr Hilary Fairclough laid a wreath at the war memorial in Victoria Square.

It was followed by a short service attended by Bolton’s local artillery 216 Battery including military vehicles from past and present, cadet forces from air and army and the Bolton Sea Cadets.

During the day, cadets competed against each other for the Cadet Forces Challenge Centenary Shield. They took on challenges such as rock climbing, archery, football, and marching.

There were also sports activities for the public including a climbing wall, football, archery, darts, and smoothie bikes.

Deputy lieutenant of Greater Manchester Brian Gorski attended the event as the Queen’s representative, to speak to all the cadets and veterans.

Bolton FM compered the day and there were also a number of stalls, including from a variety of military charity fundraisers, the RNLI, and Bolton Museum.

The closing ceremony took place from the Town Hall steps at 3pm, when the Sea Cadets lowered their flag on a portable mast. The Armed Forces Flag, which was put up on the town hall roof at the start of the week, was also lowered.

The Sea Cadets then played the Bolson Whistle and rang their bell, before ending with a rendition of the national anthem.

Speaking about the day, Cllr Fairclough said: “It was lovely and there was a fantastic turn out as well. Obviously the weather helped.

“The cadets work really hard and we were so pleased to have the Lancashire Artillery pipes and Drums Military Band playing on the Town Hall steps for us all.

“Having the deputy lieutenant Brian Gorski there to speak to everyone was really good as well.

“He is a former colonel so he had some great words for the cadets and veterans.

“It was a very pleasant day. It really was a pleasure.”