Armed Forces personnel from across the county were given a salute from the civilian sphere this week at a special reception event.

The 110 military and civic guests honoured at the ceremony held by Buckinghamshire County Council included nine recently back from tours of duty in Afghanistan, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands, along with Army reservists and Royal Air Force personnel from Halton and High Wycombe bases.

Also at the reception, in the historic Judges' Lodgings, in Aylesbury were RAF Commanding Officers Group Captain Adrian Burns (Halton) and Group Captain Frank Clifford (High Wycombe), Air Officer Commanding No2 Group Air Vice Marshall Sean Reynolds, and Buckinghamshire's Lord Lieutenant, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, the Queen's representative in the county.

County council chairman Zahir Mohammed said: “We're very fortunate to have strong links with the services here in Buckinghamshire.

“These men and women play a fantastic role, serving our country courageously, and often in dangerous places, and I'm pleased that we can recognise their service in this way.”

He highlighted the importance of the freedom, security and safety enjoyed by the public, which Armed Forces worked to preserve, and how these had been brought into sharp focus by the recent Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris, adding that, as a Muslim, he was disgusted by the killing of civilians.

He said: “The prophet came as a mercy, and as a perfection of character to mankind, and he forgave many of the likes of Charlie Hebdo.”

He told guests: “I believe you serve in the best tradition of the Armed Forces, keeping us safe, keeping our borders safe, as well as assisting with national and international emergencies.”

He urged guests to honour the services past and present by supporting the 2015 Armed Forces Day event, planned at Aylesbury Rugby Club on June 27.