Dorchester's County Hall will play host to the annual Commonwealth ceremony on Monday, March 14.

Dorset Council's chairman, councillor Val Pothecary, will read out the Commonwealth Affirmation and the Commonwealth flag will be raised and flown.

Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries with member governments agreeing to shared goals like development, democracy and peace.

Cllr Pothecary said: "At this time of acute sorrow and distress over events taking place in Ukraine, we are even more grateful for the wonderful success of the Commonwealth nations in forging peaceful relations and in their determination to maintain democracy and prosperity.

"The 54 countries - united in friendship and respect for one another - are a true exemplar of how nations can come together and aspire to change our world for the better."

Commonwealth Day 2022 will centre around the theme for the forthcoming Commonwealth heads of government meeting - 'Delivering a Common Future' - which highlights how the 54 member countries are 'innovating, connecting and transforming' to help achieve goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance and boosting trade.

Local people are invited to attend the ceremony, which starts at 10am.

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