YOUR county needs you. That is the message from the Lord Lieutenant of Kent to the county's World War II veterans.

Allan Willett explained: "We want Kent’s veterans to come forward so that we can honour and thank them at parades and thanksgiving services in July."

Veterans’ Awareness Week is being celebrated nationwide, culminating with national commemorations led by The Queen in London on Sunday, July 10.

In Kent, the week starts with Battle of Britain Memorial Day at Capel le Ferne, near Folkestone, on Sunday, July 3.

The Lord Lieutenant has arranged for three commemoration parades and thanksgiving services on July 5 in Rochester, July 7 in Maidstone and July 9 in Canterbury.

He said: "These highly symbolic events during the 60th anniversary year of the ending of World War II have a special significance for our Frontline County.

"Here in Kent we were in it up to our necks, eyeball to eyeball with the enemy – and not just those in the Fighting Forces, but all those in Home Front organisations who helped make victory possible.

"With surviving World War II veterans in their 80s or older, sadly this is the last occasion on which many of them will be able to take an active part in major commemorative events marking their struggle to save us from tyrants and protect our freedom.

"I urge veterans from all over our county to be on parade so that we can thank them and honour them.

"It does not matter where you live – veterans from all parts of Kent are welcome to join in any of the major parades."

Veterans’ organisations or individuals wishing to take part in the main parades or enquire about the thanksgiving services should contact Kent Veterans’ Week Office, Cathedral House, Canterbury Cathedral, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2EH; telephone 01227 865340; e-mail: rosew@canterbury-cathedral.org.