AN ARMED Forces Day parade will resume in West Dunbartonshire this year after it was shelved in 2017.

The march will step off from Three Queens’ Square, Clydebank, at 1.30pm on Saturday, June 16 before proceeding to the town hall for a church service via Abbotsford Road.

Colonel Bobby Steele, the armed forces liaison officer in charge of organising the event, is delighted to see the celebration return after its absence last year.

He claimed it could not go ahead in 2017 because the previous council administration had not afforded them enough time to organise a “meaningful parade”.

Veterans who have served in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan are expected to be in attendance.

Speaking of the value of having a local parade, Colonel Steele added: “We just hope it will be a good turnout. It’s good to see the local community saying thank you to the armed forces and recognising what they do for the country.

“The church service is quite relevant in saying thank you and congratulating the armed forces on what they do for the country.

“It’s not a remembrance but a celebration of the armed forces with some remembrance in it.

“Those of us who were in the military all like taking part in parades.

“Hopefully we get a good crowd to wave the boys and girls on.

“I would encourage people to take part if they are a veteran or, indeed, a serving member and for people to cheer them on.”

Martin Docherty-Hughes, MP for West Dunbartonshire, said he looks forward to attending the event.

He added: “It’s great to see Armed Forces Day return to West Dunbartonshire this year – a chance for our local communities to pay tribute to armed forces personnel past and present.”

Councillor Jonathan McColl, leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, said: “Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for the public and those of us elected to public office,to show our appreciation and respect for the work of our military personnel.”