THE third annual Armed Forces Day is being marked across York and North Yorkshire this weekend.

A Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire will perform a fly-past in front of veterans and current servicemen and women at the Yorkshire Air Museum at 3.30pm today. Meanwhile, thousands of people are expected to descend on Scarborough today to attend the largest Armed Forces event in North Yorkshire. The West Pier is being transformed into a military base named Patrol Fish Bone along with parachute display teams, parades, a tug-of-war competition, paintballing and other activities.

In York to mark the occasion the bells at York Minster will play a selection of military and war time songs today, at 10.30am and 12.30pm and there will be a full peal of bells at 9am tomorrow.

Also tomorrow at 10am the bells of the Spurriergate Centre in York will welcome guests to the British Legion’s annual church service and Parade of Standards at All Saint’s Church, Pavement in York, starting at 10.30am. The Legion is marking its 90th anniversary.

The music of the ATC Band will accompany a parade after the service and the Lord Mayor of York will take a salute outside the Mansion House.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has shown his support for the day.

He said: “Our brave servicemen and women as they put their lives at risk on a daily basis to protect our freedom. They are real heroes and we owe them a massive debt of gratitude for what they do.”

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy said: “Armed Forces Day provides a wonderful opportunity for us to show our appreciation for all those who courageously wear the uniform, their families, veterans and cadets.”