A celebration of the Royal Air Force's centenary will be marked with a charity collection and free film show on the Easter weekend.

It is 100 years since the formation of the RAF on April 1 in 1918.

The Beccles and Southwold branch of the Royal Air Force Association will hold a Wings Appeal charity collection in Exchange Square, Beccles on Saturday, March 31, and an exhibition of RAF memorabilia with a free film show in Hungate Church Hall.

At noon, Waveney MP Peter Aldous, mayor Richard Stubbings, and other civic leaders together with a contingent from RAF Honington and local ATC cadets will attend the charity collection alongside pipe music from a City of Norwich Pipe Band piper.

Branch president Brian Vousden said: 'The local branch of RAFA will be joining with other organisations across the UK and many Commonwealth countries in celebrating this momentous occasion.

'The RAF took part in the First World War from April 1, 1918 to November 11, 1918. In those seven months, the fledgling Royal Air Force and the Womens

Royal Air Force sustained over 5,600 fatal casualties resulting from aerial combat, illness and accidents.'

For further details contact the secretary on 01502 711519 or email rafabeccles@gmail.com. You can also visit www.rafabecclesandsouthwold.wordpress.com/