FLAGS have been raised in Tilbury Civic Square to celebrate the town’s naval and Commonwealth history.

The St George’s Cross, Union Flag, Canadian flag and Red Ensign were hoisted ready for British Merchant Navy Day, which takes place this Saturday.

MEP Tim Aker, whose Aker Foundation worked with the Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Memorial Fund to put up the flags, said: "We need to instil pride back into Tilbury. These flags recognise Tilbury's naval and Commonwealth history and the pride we have going forward as a free and independent country.

"For too long Tilbury has been forgotten by Thurrock Council.  Our Foundation and our friends in Thurrock will continue to improve our community regardless.

"I would like to thank Dennis Mason, Eddie Stringer and the team at the Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Memorial Fund for their help in putting up the flags to celebrate our rich history."

"And while we were there we noticed some of the street lights were broken, so we alerted the Council and requested they come and repair them.  

"We won't stop making Thurrock great again."