MILITARY personnel past and present are set to march through the city as part of Southampton's first ever Armed Forces Day.

Plans have been announced to hold the event in the city centre on Sunday, July 1.

Armed Forces personnel, vehicles and veterans will parade through the city's street on the day – which celebrates the work of the country's military, past and present.

Bevois ward member on Southampton City Council, Derek Burke, announced the decision at a full council meeting last week.

Speaking after the meeting, councillor Burke, who is the authority's Armed Forces Champion, said: "We got a good group of people that come together for the Veterans Cafe in Woolston.

"From that the group we began talking about an Armed Forces Day in Southampton and it just grew and grew and grew.

"We've been working on this for the last six months.

"It's going to be a good day for the city."

Although proposals are still to be finalised, the parade is planned to start at the bottom of by Holyrood Church, march up the High Street and Above Bar Street and end at Guildhall Square.

Councillor Burke is hoping to attract a mixture of serving personnel, veterans, reservists and cadets, as well as both current and retired military vehicles.

"I hope residents come out and support it," he added.