THE ARMED Forces Day flag was raised proudly over the Forest of Dean Council's offices by a council officer who is also a member of the Maritime Reserve.

Every year the council shows its support for the armed forces by raising the flag ahead of Armed Forces Day which this year is on Saturday (June 29).

The flag was raised at the council headquarters in Coleford by Able Seaman Rhys Thomas whose full-time job is in the council's environmental services department.

The flag raising ceremony was watched by Chair of the council Cllr Norman Stephens, other councillors and council staff.

Cllr Stephens said: "We all owe a debt of thanks to our armed forces and it is becoming something of a tradition at the council that we raise the Armed Forces Day flag on the Monday prior to Armed Forces Day itself.

The Armed Forces Day ceremony gives us at the district council an opportunity to show our continuing support for the men and women who make up the armed forces community which includes not only currently serving troops but also their families, veterans and cadets."

Environmental health officer Mr Thomas has worked for the council for seven years. He joined the Maritime Reserve three years ago and serves with HMS Cambria based at Sully near Cardiff.

He is an above water force protection specialist which means if he were to see action he could be involved in close-quarter combat.

He said: "I joined the Maritime Reserve because I wanted to give something back to the community.

"I get a lot of out it such as training which adds to my skill set and the camaraderie which makes it real enjoyable.

"I have not been deployed yet but at any one time around 10 per cent of reservists are on deployment."

There are usually representatives of 1 Rifles from Beachley at the ceremony but they were unable to be present because of operational commitments.