Thursday (September 3) saw the raising of the Red Ensign at West Lindsey District Council offices to mark Merchant Navy Day

The authority carried out the flag raising to pay tribute to the men and women who serve in Britain’s Merchant Navy.

Chairman of the Council, Coun Matt Boles, led the morning’s ceremony and raised the flag, joined by Vice Chairman Coun John Barrett, who read prayers and gave the blessing, and Assistant Chief Executive - Governance (Monitoring Officer) Lisa Langdon, who read a poem.

Mayor of Caistor, Coun Jon Wright, and Mayor of Gainsborough, Coun Richard Craig, also took part in the ceremony, along with Armed Forces Veteran Steven Robinson, who read a poem.

Councillors, officers and guests were among those who attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Coun Boles said: “As an island nation, we depend on our merchant seafarers every day - in times of peace and conflict - to keep vital supply lines open and bring more than 90 our of our imports to our shores.”

He thanked everyone who attended and showed their support for merchant seafarers and their families.