Live musical performances, face painting and a gourmet food market will come to High Wycombe in celebration of Armed Forces Day on June 26.

In a special event for the important date in the military calendar, High Wycombe’s High Street will come alive with family-friendly entertainment from 11am to 4pm.

There will a live military brass band, singing sweethearts The Polka Dots and a vintage pop-up tea room styled by the popular Air Raid Cafe, complete with war-time props and refreshments.

Visitors will get into the blitz spirit with rousing singalongs, a ginat colour-in militry heroes wall and there will be demonstrations and exhibits from the local Army and Sea Cadet groups.

The new mayor, Cllr Andrea Baughan, will raise the flag along with the council chairman and dignitaries from High Wycombe’s RAF base.

The Royal British Legion will also be there to fundraise. The fun day will be designed in a Covid-safe format, and will be run alongside the regular market.

HWBIDCo are organising the celebration. Chief executive Melanie Williams said: “It’s an honour to celebrate all those who have served our country in this way, encouraging a sense of pride in the younger generations, and we’re delighted that so many local military organisations will be joining us for the event.

“The ‘Air Raid Café’ in The Chilterns Centre is an amazing destination café too, and we’re excited to bring this out into the open for all the enjoy.

“It’s just the start of a summer of fun, with regular events taking place throughout the coming months, and it’s a great feeling to be able to welcome increasingly more visitors to the town after the last 12 months.”