A group of Maidstone councillors gathered in Jubilee Square to watch the Commonwealth Flag raised over the Town Hall to mark Commonwealth Day yesterday.

The ceremony was repeated by other local authorities across the country and indeed across the 53 countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.

A flag was also raised above Sessions House, the KCC building.

Her Majesty The Queen sent a message of good wishes, as did the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma, who said: “Flying a flag together is a most imaginative way for people to join together with others throughout the Commonwealth in a spirit of respect and understanding to celebrate the variety and unmatched diversity of our global family.”

Commonwealth Day is on the second Monday in March every year.