Military chiefs and war families call for 'Armed Forces Day' to honour servicemen

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Military chiefs led calls last night for Britain to recognise the bravery and dedication of servicemen and women by celebrating an Armed Forces Day.

General Lord Guthrie, former Chief of the Defence Staff, said a national day of tribute was a "marvellous idea".

Gordon Brown has hinted at his support, possibly linked to a new bank holiday.

The Ministry of Defence last night said ministers would consider the proposal in its review of how Britain recognises the forces, due to be published in June.

Lord Guthrie said: "An Armed Forces Day would be welcome and supported by the military."

Tory MP and former infantry commander Patrick Mercer said: "The idea of spontaneous thanks will chime very well with the British public."

But critics accused the Prime Minister of "nauseating" hypocrisy, claiming he had betrayed the forces for ten years by failing to fund them adequately.

Tory defence spokesman Gerald Howarth said: "The services are 5,000 people short, they don't have the kit they need and it's all down to Gordon Brown.

"If he had the forces' interests at heart he would have shown it by funding them properly.

"The public are hugely supportive of the armed forces but I think they know an empty gesture when they see one."

A poll last week found more than two-thirds of the public do not think enough is done to recognise soldiers killed in Iraq.

The Armed Forces Day proposal follows a surge of support for Britain's servicemen and women following the outcry last week when the Daily Mail revealed personnel at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire had been ordered not to enter nearby Peterborough in uniform following verbal abuse.