A POIGNANT ceremony to mark the run-up to Armed Forces Day took place at Southend Hospital yesterday.

The hospital joined forces with the Royal British Legion to unveil three specially-planted red, white and blue commemorative flower beds, planted in the style of the Union flag, in the second ceremony at the hospital this week.

The beds, part of the Hosp-ital in Bloom project, celebrate the safe homecoming of our troops from Iraq.

The special event was to mark Armed Forces Day, which honours all war heroes for their service.

A Chelsea Pensioner, who had been invited to attend the ceremony, was unable to do so at the last minute because of poor health.

But a standard-bearer from the legion attended in full regalia to mark the occasion in honour of both past and present serving armed forces personnel.

Lucy Thomas, associate director of fundraising at the hospital, said: “This was a two-fold event. We wanted to highlight a new Hospital in Bloom project to help improve our outside spaces, and it coincided with Armed Forces Day, so we thought it would be nice to honour our returning troops with a red, white and blue theme for our first flower bed.”

On Monday, the hospital raised a specially-designed Armed Forces Day flag.

Today, Southend is due for a visit from head of the British Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt.

At 11am, the Band of the Adjutant General Corps will lead the march from Tylers Avenue to Royal Square at the top of Pier Hill.

On arrival they will be welcomed by General Dannatt and Southend mayor Brian Smith.

The general will also honour a number of veterans with badges recognising their loyal services for their country.