EYES will be on the skies at an event to mark 100 years of the Royal Air Force (RAF) tomorrow.

The Basingstoke branch of the RAF Association is inviting people to get involved and show their support for the RAF, which is currently commemorating its centenary across Britain with a variety of RAF100 events.

The Central Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment will lead a parade, featuring the standards of the three RAF Odiham squadrons, RAF Odiham officers, service veterans and Air Training Corps cadets, from the town centre to the War Memorial.

The parade will leave from outside RBS Bank, in Winchester Street at 10.30am, and proceed along London Street before arriving outside the Civic Offices. A short service will be held at the memorial at 11am, followed by a Chinook flypast from RAF Odiham.

A free family event will be held in War Memorial Park after where Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin, RAF Association South East and Eastern Area president, will deliver the dedication of the Royal Air Forces Association, and Basingstoke MP Maria Miller will give a reading. There will also be RAF demonstrations, the Military Wives’ Choir, refreshments and a mini assault course.

Cllr Frankum said: “I hope as many local people as possible will turn out to celebrate the Royal Air Force centenary in Basingstoke.

“The RAF is the world’s first independent air force, started on 1 April 1918, and this is a great opportunity to salute its valiant history throughout times of conflict and in peacetime.

“Join us on Thursday 5 April and find out more about the RAF.”

For more information visit basingstoke.gov.uk/raf-ceremony.