THERE was a party atmosphere in the air at MOD Lyneham as the soldiers invited thousands of people to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Around 10,000 people gathered at the military base for a the REME7 Lyneham Open Day and Party in the Park event on Saturday where they enjoyed military displays, sports, aircraft, historical vehicles and a funfair under the glorious June sun.

The main focus of the day was on the full military parade and march past of more than 500 solders and officers, most based at Lyneham, in front of the REME master General, Lt Gen Paul Jaques and the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton. The parade included the Band and Bugles of the Rifles and a flypast by a Hercules of the RAF - the former occupants of the base - and the famous red, blue and white colours of the Red Arrows.

Colonel Clare Phillips, Corps Colonel of REME, who led the parade, said: “This has been a wonderful event for us and, I hope, for our neighbours in and around Lyneham, Royal Wootton Bassett and Calne, who joined us today.

“The Open Day is both a formal recognition of our 75-year history - marked by the military parade and the historic vehicle displays - and a public birthday celebration to share with our friends in the communities around Lyneham, which has been home of the Corps of REME since 2015.”

The party concluded with music from the Firing Blanks, the Wiltshire Rock Choir, Donna Marie’s Lady Gaga tribute, the Overtones and fireworks.