DOZENS lined the streets on Friday as a parade marched through Alloa to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

Brought forward by a month to allow nearby schools to participate, this saw cadets and pipers from all across Clacks march from Drysdale Street to Alloa Town Hall.

The parade was made up of representatives from A Company Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire Army ACF of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Dollar Academy Combined Cadet Force and Dollar Academy Pipes and Drums.

Also in attendance was a group of the Clackmannanshire District Scouts.

The parade marched through the town, culminating outside the town hall where the parade was inspected by Lord Lieutenant Johnny Stewart, who commended each and every member for their efforts.

A flag was raised to commemorate those who lost their lives in the line of duty before the parade was retired into the Town Hall for some food and drink.

Speaking after the parade, Provost Donald Balsillie said he was thankful to see so many turn out to mark such an important occasion.

He said: “I’m delighted that we had such a great turn out today to celebrate Armed Forces Day and to allow the people of Clackmannanshire to thank those for their service.

“It’s particularly poignant this year due to the upcoming 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and Alloa played a significant part in that.

“We constructed over 130 Mark-III tank landing crafts in the Alloa harbour which was in fact the second highest landing crafts constructed by any port in the UK.

“The workforce was made up of 60 per cent women welders who did all the heavy lifting and graft so our thanks go to them.

“Without both the support at home and from the armed forces, we wouldn’t enjoy the freedom we have at home.

“It was a great event and I hope all the participating children enjoyed it and I’m glad the weather stayed good for us.”

In the town hall, speeches were given by the provost and by Johnny Stewart and was attended by many councillors and local MPs including John Nicolson and Kenny Earle.

Winners of a flag design competition for local school children were also announced and given prizes by the provost before the day was officially dismissed.