Authorities in Kingston and Epsom and Ewell boroughs acknowledged Armed Forces Day with special services Monday (June 24).

In both boroughs, proceedings centred around a "Fly the Flag" ceremony that witnessed borough authorities join representatives of Britain's armed forces to raise their flag for the final week in June.

In Kingston, Mayor Margaret Thompson was joined by clergy and armed forces representatives to raise the armed forces flag outside Guildhall.

"We're very proud to have the flag flying ahead of #ArmedForcesDay and give huge thanks to all who have served our country," Cllr Thompson said via Twitter.

Armed Forces Day itself takes place on the final Saturday of June each year, with this year's edition falling on Saturday, June 29.

The event was conceived as a way for the wider British community to pay tribute to service women and men from the country's armed forces by holding public events in boroughs up and down the country.

Ahead of the day itself, Fly The Flag ceremonies such as those in Kingston and Epsom are held by local authorities across the UK.

As in Kingston, Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) were determined to mark the occasion.

A spokesperson for EEBC said that Mayor John Beckett was joined by councillors, plus representatives from the 135 Geographic Squadron and the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and the Royal British Legion for the Fly the Flag ceremony, which took place at Epsom's famous Market Square (pictured).

"Epsom and Ewell Borough Council raised the armed forces day flag in the week preceding national Armed Forces Day and it will fly for the week.

"In doing so, we joined 10 Downing Street, Government departments and other local authorities in showing our support for the servicemen and women of our armed forces, past and present," the spokesperson said.

For more information about Armed Forces Day, visit the website: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/