ARMED forces fans will keep their fingers crossed for good weather this weekend.

The annual Armed Forces Day celebrations will begin at 11am with a parachute drop by the Poppy Parachute Team, the Royal British Legion’s own group of dedicated daredevils.

But whether the jump goes ahead depends firmly on the weather. Saturday is predicted to be cloudy but warm.

The jump kicks off the day’s festivities. It will feature military displays from the Wiltshire Home Guard, the Gloucester re-enactment group, the Garrison Volunteers, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the RAF. Swindon reservists from 7 Rifles and the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry will also take part.

Swindon Dance will perform a new routine choreographed for 100 years of women’s suffrage. The Shrivenham Military Wives Choir will perform in the afternoon. Local radio station Swindon 105.5 will be handling the soundtrack.

Isobel Thompson, organising committee secretary, said: “Come along, show your support for our armed forces and have some fun along the way.”

Armed Forces Day is 11am-5pm, Faringdon Road Park. Entry: 20p for adults.