MILITARY displays and music marked Armed Forces Day in Colchester at the 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show.

Thousands of people enjoyed the event which showcased the skills of the brigade and marked the 75th anniversaries of D-Day and Operation Market Garden in the Second World War.

The event on Abbey Field culminated in an explosive combat demonstration that saw the 2nd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, show how they would assault an enemy position.

Modern and historic military equipment was also on display.

The Red Devils, the Parachute Regiment’s freefall display team, dropped in for the signing of a bond of friendship between Colchester and Renkum, a Dutch district where British and Polish paratroopers made their final stand during Operation Market Garden in September 1944.

The crowds showed their appreciation to veterans and cadets at a march led by the Band of the Parachute Regiment.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Caldwell, Commander of Colchester Garrison, said: “Armed Forces Day is a celebration of the links between military and civilian communities. Our aim was for the Army to showcase itself to the community to say thank you for the fantastic support we receive and I am delighted we achieved that.”