COUNCILS in Monmouthshire joined other local authorities across the UK as Commonwealth Day was marked by flag raising events and ceremonies of dedication.

A flag raising ceremony was held at County Hall in Usk, with amongst those attending Monmouthshire County Council chairwoman, Cllr Maureen Powell, High Sheriff of Gwent Kevin Thomas,the mayor of Usk, mayor and mayoress of Abergavenny, and head of school at Coleg Gwent, Helen Morgan accompanied by students studying public service.

A special service was also held at St Mary's Church in Magor to celebrate the event on Monday.

The Rev Canon Jeremy Harris led the civic service which focused on the theme for 2018, “Towards a Common Future” looking at unity and interfaith across the nations.

Year 6 pupils from both Magor Church In Wales and Undy Primary Schools were in attendance and all received a commemorative booklet about the Commonwealth.