IT was a ceremony to give thanks to the armed forces, and crowds turned out to join the celebration in a Hampshire city.

Armed Forces Week was opened with a flag-raising ceremony outside of Winchester's Great Hall.

Despite a drizzly start, which saw the scheduled performance at the Buttercross by The Band of the Royal Logistic Corps moved, some 50 service personnel still marched through the High Street as planned.

There were representatives from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF.

When they arrived at the hall scores of schoolchildren clapped, cheered and waved their patriotic flags.

The band gave a rousing performance before Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd James Atwell, read a biblical extract and prayed.

Dressed in his finery Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, addressed the public, councillors, military personnel and dignitaries.

"Today is a very important occasion in the life of our county and all over Hampshire flags will be raised in honour and support of our armed forces, both past veterans and present service men and women," he said.

"These flags remind us of the debt of gratitude we owe to them all.

"Hampshire is the home of all three services. Their families live here, their children go to our schools and they are a part of our community in every way."

The ceremony marks the start of Armed Forces Week, and the flag will be flown for the remainder of this week, culminating in Armed Forces Day on Saturday June 27.

Across the county events are being held to mark the week. Fawley Armed Forces Day returns to Gang Warily on Saturday for a free family show and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is hosting a commemorative weekend. There also events in Andover, Odiham and Bordon.