THE Red Ensign will be flown on Test Valley Borough Council buildings to recognise Britain’s dependence on the Merchant Navy.

These include the borough’s southern area offices in Romsey’s Church Street and at the town’s Crosfield Hall.

It will also be flown at the Andover Guildhall and the authority’s Beech Hurst HQ in Andover.

The flags will be hoisted at 10am on Merchant Navy Day, which is Thursday, September 3.

Test Valley’s Mayor, Iris Andersen, will hoist the flag in Andover and her deputy Karen Hamilton will do the same at the former Romsey Magistrates Court, which is now the borough council’s offices.

It comes as the borough council supports the Seafarers UK charity and the Merchant Navy Association’s call for the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag to be flown on public buildings and landmark flagstaffs.

Councillor Andersen will also read out a message in Andover from the Merchant Navy Association president his Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex. In it he urges people to support the “unsung personnel” of the Merchant Navy.

It says: “On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy.”