A special flag commissioned by the Ministry of Defence to mark Armed Forces Day tomorrow was raised at a well-attended ceremony in the town centre on Monday.

Similar ceremonies took place across the country in a bid to raise the profile of the special day.

Among those present in Mirfield were town mayor David Pinder, councillors, army and sea cadets and a bugler.

"It was a wonderful occasion," said Tim Wood, landlord of the Old Colonial pub in Dunbottle Lane who hoped the flag-raising could become an annual event.

Coun Pinder said Armed Forces Day had special significance."Remembrance Day is about those who gave their lives for their country, whereas this day is about those who are still here and need our help," he said.

"I can see tremendous value in it.

"We live in an era where the armed forces are a small proportion of the general population. Many people have never had contact with a man or woman in the services and Armed Forces Day goes some way to address that."

To further underline Armed Forces Day, Tim Wood is staging a special event at the Old Colonial tomorrow evening.

He asks serving and ex-members of the armed forces to a fundraiser for the charity Help For Heroes which provides aid for those affected by conflicts.

The event starts at 8.45pm and includes a free supper.