HUNDREDS of ex-service men and women are expected to turn out and support the Royal British Legion's county Jubilee Parade and service which takes place in Devizes on Sunday May 12.

County secretary Bill Copeland said it will be the first time that the annual parade by the ex-service men and women from all parts of the county will have been held in Devizes.

The annual county parades have been taking place in Wiltshire since 1922 and the venue is chosen each year by the annual county conference held in January.

Mr Copeland said: "We are expecting that because it is Jubilee year we will get a full length parade and we would like to see as many as 300 or 400 taking part."

It will be the first county parade and service for the Royal British Legion's new Wiltshire chaplain, the Rev Rodney Harrison from Great Bedwyn. He was formerly a major in the Tank Regiment. Mr Copeland said: "It will be an opportunity for him to get to know the ex-service community in Wiltshire."

The mayor of Devizes, Coun Ray Parsons, will be joined by the RBL county president Jim Harrison from Chippenham when he takes the salute.