A CEREMONY dedicating a new standard for the Isle of Wight's Royal Marine Association took place at All Saints Church in Ryde.

The Isle of Wight branch of the association disbanded in 1996 and only re-established itself in April this year.

To mark this, they decided to commission a new standard, costing £1,000. They raised the money thanks to the members' own donations amounting to £500 and a further £500 from the Royal Marines Association national body.

The special service at All Saints Church took place on Sunday, October 28. Among the guests at the event were Sam Twining, deputy Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight; Gioia Minghella Giddens, the Isle of Wight High Sheriff and Brig Richard Spencer, chief executive of the Royal Marines Association.

Several Isle of Wight mayors were also invited to mark the role played by Isle of Wight towns in the Second World War who billeted marines ahead of key wartime operations launched from the Island.

Ex-Royal Marines, their families and friends were also at the event.