BOLTON will honour its Armed Forces heroes with a packed day of events today (SAT).

Armed Forces Day will take place on Victoria Square, starting at 11am and running through to 3pm.

Performances from a living history actor will also be held in Bolton Central Library throughout the day.

Bolton’s tribute to those who have served in the armed forces, both past and present, begins with short service and a wreath laying ceremony led by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Martin Donaghy.

The day will include displays from the armed forces and cadets, vintage vehicles, re-enactment of stories from the World War One, and music.

The wreath laying will take place at 11am with Bolton Sea Cadets holding a signalling and flashing lights display at 11.20am.

At 11.40am the Bolton RA cadets will hold a first aid display, at 1pm a re-enactor will perform stories from World War One, at 1.20pm there will be another drill display from the Bolton RA cadets and at 1.40pm there will be a display from the 80Sqn Air Training Cadets.

There will be another performance of stories from World War One at 2pm along with an inter-cadet competition.

The final parade will start at 2.45pm, with the final re-enactment performance at 3pm.

Armed Forces Day will close at 3pm with the Sunset ceremony and the lowering of the Armed Forces Day Flag to mark the end of Armed Forces Week.

The re-enactment performances will each last about 20 minutes.

Cllr John Walsh, who helps organise the Bolton event, said: “We have the highest number ever of cadets involved — about 150 — so the young people of Bolton are deeply involved, which is excellent.

“The Gallipoli book will be on sale for the public, so they have the opportunity to know more of the history of some of Bolton’s forces.

“We will also have a good display of the kit and attire from the regiment coming, so there’s going to be lots for people to see.

“Altogether it should be a very enjoyable day.”