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Blackpool chosen as host for National Veterans Day event

Blackpool will soon be celebrating after securing a national event for the town this summer.

On Tuesday 29 January Derek Twigg MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Veterans Minister, will announce that Blackpool has been chosen as the location for the National Veterans Day event 2008.

Blackpool beat off competition from other shortlisted locations to be named the location for the event on June 27 2008.

At the same time Derek Twigg MP is making the announcement at the Imperial War Museum in London local residents and veterans will hear the news at an event in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Derek Twigg, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Veterans Minister, said:

"We have had a number of excellent bids to host this year's celebrations, but after careful consideration Blackpool Council's efforts stood out. I congratulate them on the excellence of their bid.

"Veterans are of all ages with a variety of different backgrounds, and they all deserve our recognition. Not only have they honoured their commitment to defend our country's interests in Service, they have also used their skills and experiences to enrich their local communities.

"With the establishment of an annual Veterans Day, each year June 27 is our chance to recognise the achievements of those veterans who live amongst us."

Mayor of Blackpool, Cllr Robert Wynne, said: "Blackpool is absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the host for National Veterans Day 2008, it's a great honour for the town.

"Blackpool has many historical links with the Armed Forces and has a special place in the hearts of many veterans. Every year we welcome a large number of Ex-Service Associations into the resort for their annual reunions.

"We have been holding an annual Veterans Week here in Blackpool since 2005, and plans are already well underway to make this year's celebration even more special."

Guests have been invited along to the event at the Tower Ballroom to hear plans for Veterans Week 2008 which will run from 21-29 June.

This year the Veterans Week events will be bigger and better then ever before.

In June 2007 funding of £3.5 million was been approved by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to support a programme of signature events in Blackpool over a three year period.

The events programme, led by Blackpool Council, will complement existing events and attractions in the UK's number one resort and give visitors more reasons to visit Blackpool during a period of regeneration.

The programme focuses on five key themes where Blackpool already has significant expertise one of which being Re-Unions.

Peter Mearns, Executive Director of Marketing at the NWDA, said: "This announcement is fantastic news for Blackpool. National Veterans Day will add value to what has already proved to be a successful week in the resort and will help enhance the town's distinctive and unique offer.

"Major events have an important role to play in the area's regeneration, helping to attract more business and leisure visitors to the region and highlighting the region's assets. The NWDA is pleased to support Blackpool's programme of events, which will provide a boost to the visitor economy."

The Ministry of Defence has also pledged to fund £25K towards the cost of Blackpool's celebrations.