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A signing ceremony at the town hall marked the official affiliation between Bolton in 820 Naval Air Squadron.

The unit has already established close ties with the city, but the formal ceremony was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Membership is a partnership between the squadron and all of Bolton, not just the council.

The agreement will help local schools, colleges and universities to work closely with the armed forces, gain valuable information about their work and establish links with the officer training school.

The ceremony was attended by members of 820 Naval Air Squadron, including Commander Ian Varley.

The squadron operates Merlin helicopters from the navy aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

Bolton has a long and proud tradition in the armed forces, including significant historical ties to the Royal Navy.

In the 1940s Bolton adopted HMS Dido after the local population raised over a million pounds to finance the construction of the light cruiser.

Bolton council leader Cllr Martyn Cox said:

“Bolton is proud of its historical connections to the armed forces, so it was an easy decision when we were asked to join a Royal Navy flying squadron.

“It was an honor to welcome the members of the 820 Naval Air Squadron today and formally mark this partnership.

“I hope local schools and other groups build strong ties in the years to come.”

Bolton Council Armed Forces Champion Cllr Andy Morgan said:

“As a veteran who served in the Army Air Corp, it was a privilege to be a part of the signing ceremony.

“We receive regular updates from the squadron, detailing its activities in areas of Cyprus, the Suez Canal, the South China Seas, the Mediterranean and Norway, to name a few.

“These updates are a welcome reminder of the hard work and sacrifices made by our military to keep us all safe.”

Bolton Council signed the Armed Forces Compact in 2015, pledging to put armed forces personnel and veterans at the center of public services.

It includes commitments to support local veterans’ charities, build ties with cadet units and help veterans transition to civilian life.