Representatives of Veterans organisations and members of the armed forces will join the Lord Mayor of Cardiff Cllr Bob Derbyshire for a flag raising ceremony at the Mansion House on Friday 1^stSeptember to show support for the UK's merchant seafarers.

The flag of the Merchant Navy, The Red Ensign, will be raised to mark Merchant Navy Day and honour the seafarers past and present who have served their country with such distinction over the years.

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Bob Derbyshire said: "It's important to remember the significance of the Merchant Navy in this way because otherwise there is a risk that the key role it performed during two World Wars will be overlooked. During wartime if it wasn't for the bravery of seafarers from the Merchant Navy in the most extreme conditions imaginable - this country would have been starved of food and other essential supplies. The essential work they carry out in perilous seas continues to the present day and the UK's prosperity, which was largely built on international trade, would not have been possible without them."

The raising of the Red Ensign, or ‘Red Duster', as it is affectionately known, has been the recognised flag of the Merchant Navy since 1854. It has been proudly flown across the oceans of the world in peace time and throughout dangerous conflicts.

The ceremony will start at 9.30am and the flag will be raised at 10.00am.