CHILDREN in schools in the Wellington area have been asked to help celebrate Armed Forces Day tomorrow (Saturday).

Wellington Town Council usually marks the occasion with a wreath-laying ceremony in the park but the coronavirus crisis has made that impossible this year.

Town Mayor Janet Lloyd said: “Instead, we have invited local primary schools to compose a poem and produce a picture expressing what the pupils of the schools perceive Armed Forces Day means to them. These will be posted on our website and on the town’s noticeboards.

“As an ex-member of the Armed Forces myself, married to another ex-serviceman and with a son who served in the Royal Navy, I am very aware of what being a member of the Armed Forces means.

“This year more than ever we must thank members of the Armed Forces for what they do. Not only do they protect us and other populations around the world, but this year members of the Armed Forces have helped those in this country who have been terribly affected by floods and, more recently, they have helped with the Covid 19 emergency, building Nightingale Hospitals, attending at Covid-19, testing stations and much more.

“We acknowledge their dedication and thank them very much for all they do.”