THE flag of the Commonwealth is flying above Swindon as part of a nationwide celebration of the union.

The Fly a Flag for The Commonwealth initiative began last year and is backed by the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma.

And the flag was raised over Swindon yesterday morning, Commonwealth Day, after a short ceremony attended by the Mayor Teresa Page and the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton.

A message read by Mrs Troughton, from the secretary general, said: “Fly a Flag for The Commonwealth provides an opportunity to acknowledge publicly and collectively the continuing success of the Commonwealth in building on common traditions and upholding shared values of democracy, inclusive development, rule of law and human rights in order to advance opportunities for the development and growth of all, especially our youth.”