SCHOOL children helped raise a flag to mark connectivity on Commonwealth Day in Bridport.

Pupils from Bridport Primary School joined councillors, staff and members of the public at the council offices at Mountfield to mark the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated by the 53 member countries - most of which were territories of the former British Empire - on the second Monday in March.

The theme this year is ‘A Connected Commonwealth’, which Bridport mayor, Cllr Barry Irvine, spoke about in his speech.

He said: “This year, the theme is connected commonwealth when we think about connections between one country and another. Were hopeful that we as countries in the commonwealth will cooperate with one another, working in friendship and good will.

“It is an opportunity for individuals, communities - like us here in Bridport - and organisations to promote the best values of the Commonwealth. Those values are peace, democracy and equality and we want to celebrate those things in our town, and they tie in with our rights respecting values in Bridport.”

The children then each read out a series of facts about the Commonwealth and the group said the Commonwealth Affirmation together.

The Reverend Debbie Smith thanked everyone for joining for the ceremony and town crier, John Collingwood, called out all the names of the countries in the Commonwealth.

Cllr Irvine was then joined by Bridport Primary School pupil Ethan to help raise the flag.