A permanent honour to those who protect and serve the public was unveiled during a moving service held at the war memorial in Trowbridge Park on Friday.

Four plaques were unveiled underneath four newly-planted trees, one at each corner of the memorial, to commemorate the bravery of the three civil emergency services and the armed forces.

High-ranking members of Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Great Western Ambulance Service and the military were at the event, held in conjunction with the charity Purple Salute, which aims to have trees planted in every UK town and city as a ‘living tribute’ to those who serve the country.

Among those to attend the event was Elaine Champion, 40, from Chilcompton, whose father Des Kellam was a Trowbridge police officer killed outside St James’ Church 30 years ago.

Mrs Champion said: “I felt quite honoured to be at the ceremony. It was a really nice event with so many people turning out to pay their respects to both the Armed Forces and emergency services.

“I will be bringing my children to the memorial when they are older and telling them about my dad and what memorial is for.”

Young and old gathered at the memorial for the unveiling of the plaques at 11am.

The plaques were placed in front of four trees donated by Purple Salute.

The founder of the Purple Salute charity, Corinne Knight, set it up after her fiance Bob O’Connor, 38, died along with nine of his commrades when their Hercules was shot down in Iraq in 2005.

Her son also suffered a serious injury during an accident a year previous to Mr O’Connor’s death.

She said: “I’m overwhelmed with the whole event. It is absolutely wonderful the number of people who have turned out.

“We helped out with the event by donating the trees but that is all we have done, the event was organised by people in the town.”

Father Andrew Lloyd, senior chaplain of the 43 Wessex Regiment, led the ceremony, which was followed by a dedication service to the Territorial Army, in the Sensory Garden, where the TA’s crest was unveiled, and a dedication service to the Royal British Legion Cross, in Fore Street.

Vice chairman of the Trowbridge branch of the Royal British Legion, Brian Mitchell, led a parade during the ceremony.

He said: “I instigated the idea after seeing that a similar event had happened in Tidworth and so I spoke to Jennifer Polledri, who is the chair of Trowbridge in Bloom.

“She approached the town council with the matter and it has been organised from there.

“I thought it was a very moving event as it is important to remember the emergency services and Armed Forces for what they have done.”

Funding for the four plaques came from Trowbridge Town Council.