TANKS are set to roll onto the streets of Southampton as the city holds its first ever Armed Forces Day.

Organisers have confirmed that an array of armoured vehicles will join the parade which is expected to see more than 10,000 people line the streets this Sunday, (June 1).

The parade - celebrating members of the country’s military, past and present - starts at Holy Rood Church at 10am and will see military personnel, armed forces veterans, cadet forces, re-enactors and marching bands followed by military vehicles including Ferret scout car, military land rovers, and a Chieftain tank, as well as Saints’ 1976 FA Cup open top bus.

The vehicles will then be on display at Guildhall Square until 4pm which will also play host to numerous military-themed activities including entertainment from The Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band and 40's style singing group, The Decadettes.

There will also be a film shown about the Spitfire plane which was built in the city, as well as free guided talks about life in the city during World War II from Southampton Tourist Guides Association at 2pm and 3pm.

A Hawker Hurricane – a fighter aircraft used during the start of World War Two – will also be on show at the event which runs until 4pm.

Organiser Colin Gaytor said: “We have lots of different things happening on the day, including lots to see and do.”

Colin added: “Remembrance Sunday is a wonderful day but everyone goes to their own parishes. What we are hoping to do with this event is to give a chance for all the veterans of the city to parade together.

“The armed forces population of the city is around 10 per cent, so everyone will know someone who has served or is serving.”

2018 marks the centenary year of the Royal Air Force, 100 years since the end of the first World War, and the 10th anniversary of Armed Forces Day.

Numbering over 85,000 (approximately 10% of the county’s population), Hampshire has one of the largest Armed Forces communities in the U.K.

Several roads through the city centre will be closed for the event.

Above Bar Street from Cumberland Place to Civic Centre Road, Commercial Road from Havelock Road to Above Bar Street, and West Marlands Road from Commercial Road to Civic Centre Road will be closed from 6am-6pm.

The following roads are to be closed from 7am and reopened after the last parade vehicle passes just after noon;

High Street from Town Quay (A33) to Bernard Street.

St Michaels Street from High Street to Castle Way.

Bernard Street from High Street to Back of the Walls.