A MIX of military might, sun, rugby and running attracted more than 10,000 to the first Colchester Garrison Show.

Huge crowds gathered on Abbey Fields for the first 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show, which featured Apache attack helicopter displays, the Parachute Regiment’s Red Devil’s and a Colchester Military Wives performance.

Every area of shade was filled with families taking refuge from the scorching sunshine while children enjoyed funfair activities.

The event ran alongside the gruelling Paras ten-mile run and two Armed Forces Rugby League matches between New Zealand and Serbia followed by Great Britain versus Australia.

The day culminated in an all-action display by the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, which could be heard across the town.

The show, a replacement for the Military Festival which was scrapped after the last event in 2009 to cut costs, was hailed as a major success by garrison commander Colonel Mike Newman.

He said: “It’s been brilliant. This is absolutely what we wanted, which is to show our thanks to the people of Colchester and around who give us such fantastic support with a good day out.”

For more, including four pages of pictures, see Monday’s Gazette.