SENIOR military personnel and civic leaders paid tribute at an Armed Forces Day ceremony to those who have sacrificed their lives in conflict.

The rain meant the ceremony was held indoors at County Hall, where about 150 Armed Forces personnel gathered around the Armed Forces Day flag.

Those attending included personnel from Oxford University Officers’ Training Corps, RAF Benson, Bicester Garrison, soldiers from Dalton Barracks, Shrivenham Station HQ and 7 Rifles, the Royal Navy, and cadets from across the county.

County council chairman Michael Waine said: "Service personnel and their families sacrifice a great deal to defend this country.

"These men and women dedicate their careers, and sadly sometimes even their lives - to defending and promoting our ideals and we owe them a huge debt."

Colonel Paul Fish, Station Commander at the Army's Dalton Barracks in Abingdon, said: "I think this ceremony showed the interaction between the local community and the Armed Forces at all levels."

A number of veterans also took part, including Jim Lewendon, 87, who served with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and Royal Artillery, from 1946 to 1949.

The president of the Oxford City group of Royal British Legion branches said: "With the centenary of the Battle of the Somme approaching on July 1 we need to remember those who gave their lives in the two world wars, and in other more recent conflicts."

Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually to raise awareness of the contribution made by those who serve in and have served in the Armed Forces.

This year Armed Forces Day is being celebrated on Saturday.