MORE than £3,000 was raised for charity at a military display hosted by Merchant Taylor's School on Sunday.

The event, held in aid of the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre (LJMC) at Mount Vernon hospital, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, attracted visitors from far and wide who revelled in the sunshine and picnicked on the lawns of the Moor Park school.

Assistant bursar at the school, Richard Fletcher, said: "Despite the sweltering heat it was a thoroughly enjoyable day.

"The crowds were treated to two magnificent helicopter displays from the Royal Navy Black Cats and the Army Air Corps Blue Eagles, with the climax to the afternoon's entertainment being from two of the countries best military bands - the Band of the Army Air Corps and the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth."

In full gown and hat the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman David Brewer, flanked by eight Pikemen and Musketeers, took the salute from the bands at the end of a busy day.

Mr Fletcher added: "It was great to see so many children climbing all over the tank and helicopter displays and watching in awe as the Army Air Corps Blue Eagles Helicopter Display Team looped the loop and the band and the air corps marched and played with such precision and flair."

Marketing manager at LJMC, Buzz Coster, thanked the school for choosing the centre as one of it's beneficiaries. She said: "We were delighted to be chosen by the school and everybody had a fantastic day."