A HUGE celebration of the role of women in the Armed Forces will take place in York this summer.

The city will host a royal visit, parade, Minster service and flypast on July 23.

The event is being held to mark the 85th anniversary of the Royal British Legion's Women's Section.

More than 62,000 women belong to the section, which includes ex-servicewomen and the relatives of servicemen.

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, will open the celebrations with a special service at York Minster, before a parade of standards through the streets of the city.

There will also be a flypast by planes from RAF Linton-on-Ouse and RAF Leeming, and tea for more than 1,000 people at Imphal Barracks.

Ted Griffiths, president of the Royal British Legion's York branch, said he was "delighted" the women's branch of the legion were holding their national anniversary celebration in York.

"It's an honour for York and Yorkshire that they're coming to York Minster," he said.

"This is a one-off celebration to celebrate the 85th anniversary - it coincides with the Queen's birthday year."

He said it was the first time the women's section of the legion was holding its national anniversary celebrations outside London.

Mr Griffiths said the York branch of the Royal British Legion would be holding their anniversary service in All Saints' Church in June.

The Royal British Legion was formed in 1921, with separate sections started in the same year for men and women.

Mr Griffiths said anniversary celebrations for the men's section had already been held.

The head of the national women's section is HRH The Princess Royal.

Updated: 09:29 Monday, April 03, 2006