BRITISH Forces personnel past and present will be celebrated during a special event in Taunton this summer.

The town's Vivary Park will be the setting for celebrations marking Armed Forces Day, running on Saturday, July 4.

Organisers said the Taunton and Somerset Armed Forces Day event will offer a free day out for all the family and will feature street food, military displays, shopping opportunities, live music and more.

More than 100 stalls are already confirmed and arena displays booked including marching bands, free fall parachute drop, Tug-0-War, Cadet Drill competition and more.

The event is being supported by Somerset West and Taunton Council, military organisations and businesses from across the Somerset region.

Running from 10am to 5pm, the event is expected to attract thousands of people to Taunton, which is steeped in Military history and is home to 40 Commando RM and HQ Wessex Reserve & Cadet forces along with the Army Reserve centre in Bishop's Hull.

For more information, or to get involved with the Taunton and Somerset Armed Forces Day event, go to www.tauntonarmedforcesday.co.uk.

"This Armed Forces event is a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from current serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets," said a spokesperson.

"The UK Armed Forces defend our country and its interests. Every day of the year they are busy working around the world, promoting peace, delivering aid, tackling drug smugglers and providing security and fighting terrorism."