Hundreds of people came out to show their support for the Armed Forces community at Havering’s annual Armed Forces Day Parade.

Residents and visitors lined the streets of Romford town centre to watch a parade of veterans, cadets and uniformed youth organisations.

Starting in South Street by the Visitor Centre, they marched proudly through the Market Place, ending at Tollgate House.

Afterwards, the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Lynden Thorpe, and the Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Michael White, inspected the cadets and chatted to parade members young and old.

Cllr Thorpe announced the new Mayor’s Cadet as Lucy Croxall, from the St John Ambulance C611 Harold Hill Division and Reserve Cadet Flight Sergeant Andrew Murphy of the Air Training Corps 452 Hornchurch Squadron.

Cllr Thorpe also told the crowds that the Royal Anglian Regiment would be coming to march through Romford later in the year.

There was plenty of traditional music from the Royal British Legion Band & Corp of Drums Romford to entertain the crowds.

Cllr Thorpe said: “I was very proud and honoured to attend the Armed Forces Day Parade. It was particularly special to meet some of our veterans and hear of the roles they played in times of conflict.

“We can never repay the debt we owe to our Armed Forces community for defending our freedoms through the centuries. However, we can pay our respects to those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces.

“I thank all those who were able to take part in that very special day.”