WAR veterans and active servicemen were recognised for their bravery and sacrifice during a flag-raising ceremony to mark Armed Forces Week.

About 50 battle-hardened veterans - including three Chelsea Pensioners - current war heroes and cadets were celebrated by civic dignitaries and residents during the raising of the Armed Forces Flag at Wycombe District Council.

WDC chairman Cllr Bill Bendyshe-Brown led the tributes at Monday's ceremony, before the Royal British Legion's county secretary Hugh Ashton-Moore and Chelsea Pensioner David Oie hoisted the flag aloft.

WDC leader Lesley Clarke, Mayor of High Wycombe Jane White and Wycombe MP Steve Baker were all in attendance, alongside family members of the forces and children from St Augustine's Catholic school.

In his speech, Cllr Bendyshe-Brown said: "In recognition and support of this Military Covenant, I would like to honour you all gathered here today.

"To congratulate you and to give public recognition for your loyalty, courage and duty to our nation.

“Without your commitment, and those of your predecessors, our nation would not have survived through the thickest of wars and greatest of crises.

Chelsea Pensioner Mr Oie, 84, said: “It is a great honour and a pleasure to have been invited here and to be involved in such a wonderful occasion.

“We have had a wonderful welcome from the council, the chairman and the people here.

"Being an ex serviceman, it is such a pleasure to be able to support our boys who are still serving in Afghanistan and Iraq – it's important to show our support.”

Tony Radcliffe, Group Captain of RAF High Wycombe said: “For me personally, this ceremony is strangely embarrassing because, for the country it is a fantastic way to show its support to our armed forces, but for me – I'm just doing my service for my country.

“But it is great to see the mix of Chelsea Pensioners and Standard Bearers, with current servicemen and cadets, and the school children. It is a brilliant service.”

A similar service was held at Chiltern District Council, where chairman Cllr Jeremy Ryman was joined by RBL members and council staff as he raised the forces' flag.

The ceremonies kicked off the national Armed Forces Week celebrations, which culminates on Saturday with Armed Forces Day.