City marks Armed Forces Day with parade and service

Military personnel joined a parade through Coventry city centre to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

A service was held in Holy Trinity Church before the parade into Broadgate, which included past and present members of the armed forces community and began at 11:30 BST on Saturday.

Stalls, displays and military vehicles were organised to promote and celebrate the armed forces.

Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands covering Coventry, Les Ratcliffe, said the day was "celebrating" them, "those who are still serving and our veterans and our cadet forces as well".

Remembering World War Two, Lord Mayor of Coventry and Conservative councillor Roger Bailey said: "We had 44 bombing raids on the city; the big one was November 14th 1940.

"We lost 1,500 people. It matters to us; it scarred us."

Meanwhile, armour manufacturer and vehicle integrator NP Aerospace has been celebrating its 100th year after it was established in Coventry as part of the Courtaulds Group in 1926.

The company held an event for staff, families and local industry representatives to coincide with Armed Forces Day.

It employs more than 450 people and has facilities on Foleshill Road and Courtaulds Way.

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