WAR veterans and dignitaries watched on as flags were raised to mark Armed Forces Week and the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

D-Day hero Tich Rayner raised Buckinghamshire's special flag in Market Square, Aylesbury, while RAF High Wycombe personnel performed the honour outside Wycombe District Council’s offices.

Buckinghamshire County Council Chairman Cllr Zahir Mohammed said: “We’re proud to raise the Armed Forces Day flag today to commemorate and give thanks to our Armed Forces Family, many of whom are currently serving on operations in Afghanistan.

“Our thoughts are with them and their families as the whole nation joins together this week to pay tribute to them.”

Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Sir Henry Aubrey Fletcher, who took the salute in Aylesbury, said: “This is more than a flag-raising.

“This ceremony marks our heartfelt thanks to those in the county who currently serve, have served, or will serve in the armed forces.

“And it celebrates our very close links in Buckinghamshire between the armed services and local communities.”