Skipton’s Armed Forces Day has been hailed a success – despite clashing with two major local events and England’s World Cup match.

While Armed Forces Day was officially celebrated on Saturday, the local festivities were delayed for a day so that the whole of the High Street could be given over to the event without the presence of market stalls.

“We had between two and three thousand people on the High Street,” said Alex Bentley, chairman of the Skipton Royal British Legion and joint organiser of the event.

“However, we were facing competition from Broughton Game Show, Skipton Horse Trials and, of course, the football. Some exhibitors didn’t turn up, but overall it was a satisfactory day,” he said. The proceedings were officially opened by the firing of a cannon and a welcome speech by Major General Michael Charlton-Weedy, president of the North Yorkshire Royal British Legion.

There were various activities throughout the day, including re-enactments by the Sealed Knot group and the Haworth Home Guard and performances by the Skipton British Legion Band, which was set up four years ago.

Among the visitors were Skipton couple George and Carol Smith, whose 21-year-old grandson, Anthony Hotine, was killed in a roadside explosion in Afghanistan last month.

He was serving with Alpha Company, 40 Commando Royal Marines, and was on his second operational tour when he died while carrying out a joint reassurance patrol with the Afghan National Army.

Tribute was paid to him in a closing address by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne.

The special Armed Forces Day flag was then lowered and presented, as a keepsake, to ex-serviceman Jack Yarker.

He served with the Scottish regiment the Cameronians during the Second World War and is a former chairman of the Legion, as well as a Poppy Appeal collector.

Planning has already started for next year’s event.

“It will be better,” said Mr Bentley. “To start with, there will be no clash with the World Cup.”