ARMED forces veterans across the borough are invited to meet the Mayor to receive badges of honour at a top event next month.

Dudley Council is organising the free Armed Forces Day event at Himley Hall on Sunday July 1 to celebrate the work of servicemen and women.

The event, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, Richardsons and SaBRE, includes a band concert in the grounds of the historic hall, a display of military vehicles and free family entertainment such as a climbing wall, small fairground rides, games and trampolines.

The celebrations will also include a freedom march through Dudley town centre by the Royal Mercian Lancastrian Yeomanry (RMLY) from 11am.

Veterans will then be presented with their HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges by the Mayor of Dudley at Himley Hall.

Councillor Melvyn Mottram, Mayor of Dudley, said: “We have got lots of free family fun at Himley Hall and I hope to see as many people there on the day as possible.”

He is now urging servicemen and women who are entitled to the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges to get in touch, adding: “I’m very much looking forward to meeting the people who made such an enormous contribution through their service in the armed forces.”

More than 100 soldiers will be marching through the streets of Dudley when they receive the freedom of the borough as part of the day’s celebrations.

The Mayor of Dudley will present a commemorative scroll and officially grant the troops the freedom of the borough during a ceremony at Dudley Council House.

The event at Himley Hall and Park will then begin with a youth marching band competition from 11am followed by family entertainment, games and displays throughout the day.

Veterans will be presented with their badges from around 3.45pm - after which there will be a performance by the D-Day Darlings singers and the Beating of the Retreat.

Visitors can also picnic on the lawns of the park, and there will be chance to talk to armed forces members about their work. There will also be information for servicemen and women on support and advice in the community.

HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges are available to people who have served in HM Armed Forces.

Anyone who thinks they are entitled to one of the badges can contact the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, Norcross, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3WP; or call freephone 0800 169 2277 or email SPVA-VeteransBadges@mod.uk

Anyone who has already received one of the badges but has not had it formally presented can contact Dudley Council on 01384 815222 to be part of the ceremony.

Other veterans and serving armed forces personnel are also asked to contact the council if they are planning to attend the event.