WAR veterans and civic dignitaries will be at a ceremony in Rock to officially unveil a new standard for the local Royal British Legion branch.

The event, which will see the dedication of a new standard for the RBL's Far Forest and Rock branch, will take place in the village on Saturday, starting with a parade at 1.30pm. The short procession will end at St Peter and St Paul Church for a special service at 2pm.

About 200 people, including RBL members, veterans, Scouts and Guides, Mayors from Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley and Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier, are expected to attend. About 14 standards from RBL branches across Worcestershire and Shropshire will march in the parade and sponsors who donated money to make the £700 project possible have also been invited.

Branch members say the current standard is more than 70 years old and "starting to show signs of wear and tear".

Parade marshall, Martyn Carter, said: "The old one needed to be retired and we needed a new one. The new one is more of a polyester type and is brighter looking. We are all excited about its unveiling."

The old standard will be handed over after its final journey by elderly members of the group, led by standard bearer Jim Wrigglesworth, with the new one presented by the branch's younger members, led by 18-year-old Joshua Lyles.