The Armed Forces Day flag will arrive in Helston today (Wednesday) as part of its route through Cornwall.

A flag relay is taking place through the Duchy leading up to an official flag raising in Falmouth to mark it as the host town of this year's national event in June. 

The flag symbolises public support for the Armed Forces men and women, past and present and the difficult job that they do.

The relay began last month in Bodmin - one of ten community events across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to host an official flag relay ceremony.

Today it is the turn of Helston to welcome the flag. 

It will arrive at the Grylls Monument, at the bottom of Coinagehall Street, at 11am and members of the public are invited to go and watch. 

From here it will go to the Isles of Scilly, for an event at the Star Castle Hotel next Tuesday, again at 11am.

The remainder of the route will be: 

Land’s End - Land’s End Landmark: 11am on Tuesday, May 23

Launceston - Town Square: 10.30am on Friday, June 2

Newquay - RAF St Mawgan: 2pm on Monday, June 5

Penzance - St John’s Hall: 11am on Monday, June 12

Torpoint - HMS Raleigh: 10am on Friday, June 16

Falmouth - Gyllyngvase Beach (flag raising): 9.45am on Monday, June 19

Truro - The Army Reserve Centre: 11am on Wednesday, June 21

National Armed Forces Day takes place over two days on June 24 and 25, and will feature ‘Top Gun’ style stunts from the Red Arrows, other military aerial displays, parades, service drills and the chance to see a range of military vehicles up close.

Air Commodore Polly Perkins, regional air officer for the south-west, said of the flag relay: "Events like these help the Armed Forces to thrive knowing that we have the support of the very community that we serve.

“The fact communities across Cornwall are involved in the relay and intend to fly the flag is a real demonstration that they take pride in the Armed Forces and feel confident in our ability to turn our hand to almost any situation."