BRAVE soldiers will be celebrated and remembered at Bolton Parish Church’s Midsummer Festival.

To mark 100 years since the start of World War One organisers of the annual festival will mark the historic centenary with a range of war-themed events.

On Armed Forces Day, next Saturday, June 28, Victoria Square will be over-run with military memorabilia, while cadets will use lantern signals to relay messages as an example of wartime technology. A remembrance book will also be on display.

Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh, a warden at Bolton Parish Church St Peter’s, said it was important to mark Armed Forces Day and recognise the contribution service men and women make every day for the country.

He said: “We wanted to raise the profile of the wonderful job they do, and it’s particularly poignant this year as it is the centenary of the First World War.

"On Saturday there will also be an act of commemoration at the war memorial in Victoria Square, along with demonstrations by cadets. We have a week of events.”

Students from Bolton College launched the festival last night with a performance of Bertholt Brecht play The Caucasian Chalk Circle, which is being performed until tomorrow, at Bolton Parish Church.

On Saturday, June 21, the Midsummer’s Day Festival will takeover Churchgate from 10am. Highlights include a display of veteran Rolls Royce cars, live music and tower tours of the Grade-II listed church.

The Outbreak of WWI Commemorative Concert will be performed by Bolton Choral Society on Sunday, at 7.30pm, featuring words and music marking 100 years since the outbreak of the war.

On Tuesday soprano Claire Bowman will perform at a lunchtime concert in Bolton Parish Church at 1.15pm.

This will be followed by a floral art demonstration by the Academy of Floral Art at 7pm. Tickets cost £10, which will go towards charity Water Aid, as will proceeds from a raffle and auction of displays.