Britain's unique Flying Boat Centre - at Pembroke Dock - got off to a flying start on the first ever Armed Forces Day, Saturday, June 27.

Over 70 visitors signed in to view the new centre, which is a first for the UK.

Pembroke Dock Mayor, Clr. Pam George, was the very first visitor and she praised the Sunderland Trust team and its volunteers for all their efforts to create something very special.

Located in a former Royal Dockyard building owned and recently refurbished by Milford Haven Port Authority - which also hosts the project - the centre focuses on RAF Station Pembroke Dock and its flying boats.

Over 30 volunteers have signed up to support the centre and many work in the well-equipped workshop to conserve and restore parts already recovered from a Sunderland which sank off the town in 1940.

There are plans by the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust to recover the Sunderland - one of only four left in the world.

Funding for the centre is from the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). This is administered locally by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The centre is located off Fort Road, near South Pembrokeshire Hospital, with access via Gate Four of the Port of Pembroke. Display panels and other interpretation were designed by Chris Kellett, of Pembroke.