HALTON will be flying the Commonweath flag at Runcorn Town Hall to mark Commonwealth Day.

The borough council will be joining other local authorities, community groups and charities around the country in marking Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 10, for the first time as 500 Commonwealth flags will be raised at 10am.

This new initiative enables local communities to join others nationwide in associating themselves with widespread public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, appreciation of the values it stands for, and the opportunities offered to its citizens around the world.

Charity teams will mark the day by taking Commonwealth flags to the top of the UK’s four highest National Peaks and use the occasion to raise funds for their worthy causes.

Charities include Cancer Research UK (Scafell Pike, England), Help for Heroes (Ben Nevis, Scotland), Walking with the Wounded (Mount Snowdon, Wales), and Fields of Life (Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland).

Commonwealth flags will also be flown at many locations of special significance including the four capital cities of the United Kingdom.

To help raise awareness of the day, a map has been created showing where flag-raising events are taking place.

Visit flyaflagforthecommonwealth.com for details.