ANDOVER fell silent as the town marked the start of Armed Forces Week with a flag raising ceremony.

Veterans, along with civic representatives, joined together today (Monday) for the to watch the Armed Forces Day flag be raised in the High Street.

Test Valley mayor Councillor Ian Carr welcomed guests to the event and the flag was blessed by Reverend Canon Jill Bentall.

The flag was raised over the Guildhall as bugler Louise Porter from Test Valley Brass sounded the Last Post, and standard bearers Trevor Weston and Simon Hands showed their appreciation on behalf of the Royal British Legion and Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

Parade marshal Colin Chance said: “It is Armed Forces Week and to start the week off we have a flag raising ceremony before Armed Forces Day on Sunday.

“I think today went very well as quite a lot of people stopped when the Last Post was sounded, I was quite pleased with that and it was not only the people who attended the ceremony, but it was those people walking around as well.”

Following the ceremony, refreshments were held in the Guildhall for those who attended the occasion.