SOUTHEND poignantly commemorated the bravery and sacrifice of our frontline servicemen and woman this morning with a special celebration.

Active military personnel, veterans, and residents paid their respects to the Armed Forces community as an annual parade returned to the city centre.

The event saw a possession move through the High Street for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic before a short service was held.

Presided over by the Mayor of Southend, Kevin Robinson, this year’s moving occasion was particularly special given it is the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.

In addition to a public service led by Rev Frank Smith, the event also featured the Last Post, Royal Artillery Association gunfire and Reveille.

There was also music from adult choirs and members of the Southend Boys Choir and Southend Girls Choir.

Mr Robinson said: "I would like to pay tribute to our Armed Forces, the service veterans and all the other associated agencies on Armed Forces Day in the city of Southend.”

A spokesman for Southend Council added: "The city of Southend-on-Sea came together today for the Armed Forces Day parade in the High Street.

"Councillors joined Mayor Kevin Robinson and hundreds of residents to witness a march through the city Centre and a service conducted by Reverend Frank Smith."

Check out our gallery of images above to see exactly how the commemoration panned out.