SOUTH Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe recently attended events in Westminster and in Basildon to show his support for service personnel during Armed Forces Week.

Mr Metcalfe showed his support in Parliament by attending a Flag Raising Ceremony.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, had organised the event to highlight the sacrifices that men and women are making to serve and protect our country at home and overseas.

The Military Wives Choir and the Coldstream Guards performed and a plethora of people from across the British Armed Forces attended to mark Armed Forces Week.

Mr Metcalfe also attended Basildon Borough Civil Military Partnership's annual military parade to honour local military personnel, veterans and cadets.

The parade formed in Basildon Town Centre was a celebration of Armed Forces Day and the contribution that many local people have made to our country's defence – past, present and future.

Mr Metcalfe said: "Armed Forces Day acts as a strong reminder to people that we have servicemen and servicewomen who are working tirelessly to provide our nation with security and protection at home and overseas.

It was an honour to attend the Flag Raising Ceremony in Parliament and it was fantastic to see cadets, veterans, and serving personnel proudly marking Armed Forces Day in Basildon with their annual military parade.

"A big thank you to all the local military organisations for making it possible – the Anglian Regiment, the Basildon Borough Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club, the Sea, Army and Air Cadets and many more."