COMMUNITY groups, charities, local authorities and civic dignitaries will come together to mark Commonwealth Day in Winchester next month.

There will be a flag-raising ceremony in the courtyard of the Great Hall, during which county council chairman Cllr Colin Davidovitz will read a specially-written Commonwealth Affirmation.

Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, will read a message from The Queen, before the flag is raised at 10am on March 9.

A choir from Kings’ School will perform and there will be an appearance from Commonwealth Games gymnast Kelly Simm, from Whiteley.

More than 650 flags will be raised across 38 countries in the second year of the flag-raising celebrations.