THOUSANDS of families enjoyed a fantastic weekend with a military theme at the Wiltshire Armed Forces celebration in Trowbridge on Saturday and Sunday.

An estimated 20,000 people packed into Trowbridge town park for the annual event, now in its 14th year.

Jonathan Wort, chairman of the Wiltshire armed forces and veterans celebrations, said: “It was a fantastic and brilliant family event. The weather was absolutely awesome.

“We had one of our biggest-ever crowds. We gave up counting but we estimate we had anything between 15,000 and 20,000 over the weekend.”

VIPs on Saturday included Mrs Nicky Alberry, the High Sheriff of Wiltshire; Dr Andrew Murrison, the MP for South West Wiltshire; the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson; the Mayor of Trowbridge, Cllr Dennis Drewett, and his Deputy Mayor, Cllr David Cavill; as well as the mayors of Devizes, Melksham and Westbury.

Normandy veteran Bob Conway, and his wife Gwen, from Trowbridge, and their daughter and son-in-law Mrs R and Mr I Bennett, also attended.

Attractions in the top field included the Steeple Rocks Choir, the Warminster Military Wives’ Choir, the Farandole Dancers, the Trowbridge Air Cadet Drill, the Wessex Military Band, the Songbirds Choir, and Bratton Silver Band, as well as two performances by the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums and Bugles.

Visitors were able to browse around 100 stalls and displays, including military vehicles from the First and Second World Wars.

They were also able to watch Second World War battle skirmishes on the bottom field, with blank ammunition supplied by Aaron Couldrake.

There was also a replica First World War trench system and a static Spitfire on display.

For young children, there were fairground rides available.