Lowestoft is preparing to join the Armed Forces Day celebrations and Lings Motor Group has signed up as main sponsor.

Lings Lowestoft is delighted to be main sponsor for this year's Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 24 at the town's Royal Green on Marine Parade.

The event will mark the 12th year the celebration has come to Lowestoft, with up to 2,000 people expected to turn out.

Armed Forces Day is an annual, national event showing support for those who are currently serving – or have served – in the Armed Forces, and for their families. With local events co-ordinated by by volunteers and suported by local businesses, Lings is proud to be this year's main sponsor.

Lings director Paul Barkshire said: 'We're extremely proud to be main sponsor for this year's Armed Forces Day celebration. It's a fantastic event and we jumped at the chance to be involved.'

As part of the celebration, Lings will be taking up residence on Royal Green for the day, with a selection of cars from its Hyundai, Honda and Mitsubishi ranges on display. Members of the team will be on hand to demonstrate the latest available models, including the 2017 Honda Civic and the petrol hybrid and electric Hyundai Ioniq.

Victoria Schofield, area manager for Cottages.com who volunteers to organise the event, said: 'This year's Armed Forces Day at Lowestoft's Royal Green will be bigger and better than ever. It's a really family-friendly day out, and a chance for the town to say thank you to those who have served our country.

'The festivities start at 10am and we have so much in store this year – it's going to be incredible. We are thankful to Lings Motor Group, based in Lowestoft, for helping to sponsor the event.'

Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk Major Philip Hope-Cobbold will be at the event as a VIP and the Army Bomb Disposal Unit 33 Engineer Regiment 821 Squadron will be carrying out a special display. Other highlights of the day include Terry Arlow and his replica Spitfire – it will be the Spitfire's first outing in East Anglia since it was damaged in a road accident and Mr Arlow has spent over a year repairing the replica plane.

Local serving forces personnel will be at the event along with the forces recruitment team which will be able to talk to anyone interested in a career in the Armed Forces.

Visitors of all ages are welcome at Lowestoft's Armed Forces Day – food and drinks will be available and there will be a bouncy castle and other fun activities for the children.