FIVE police officers will be on duty in Sidmouth later this month to ensure veterans taking part in the newly-named Armed Forces Day, can march in safety.

FIVE police officers will be on duty in Sidmouth later this month to ensure veterans taking part in the newly-named Armed Forces Day, can march in safety.

"There will be officers to the front and rear of the parade to prevent traffic driving towards them and the road along the seafront will be closed while they disembark," said Sidmouth police sergeant Andy Turner.

As usual the line-up will congregate at the Conservative Club at 2.30m on Saturday, May 27.

Sidmouth Town Band will lead the march through the town to Ham Green for a drumhead service, which starts at 3pm.

"At the moment we have Sidbury and Sidford RBL, the Royal Naval Old Comrades, Air and Army cadets, and we are hoping to have two veterans from Karona company of the 6th Rifles who went to Afghanistan for six months," said Dave O'Connor, Sidmouth RBL chairman and standard bearer.

"Our MP, Hugo Swire, will be marching with Sidbury and Sidford RBL branch."

A range of stalls, barbeque, model railway and refreshments, have been planned to encourage people to make an afternoon of the occasion, formerly known as Veteran's Day.

Prize draws have already attracted offers of tickets to Pecorama, Powderham Castle and Killerton House.

"On this occasion we will be raising money for Help for Heroes and there will be buckets gladly receiving donations.

"We are hoping the band will perform and we are hoping to have donkeys from Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. Sidmouth Lifeboat will be there."

Youth groups and the Sailing Club have also been invited to participate.

"Unlike Remembrance Day, Armed Forces Day is purely for the people who have fought and survived in conflicts," said Mr O'Connor, who is also organising a drill demonstration by the ATC and a Tai Kwando display.

The finale will be at 6pm with Sunset, when branch standards will dip and the Union Flag lowered from the pole.