Military displays and sport will be the mainstay of a free Army show.

The 16 Air Assault Brigade and Colchester Garrison Show will take place on Abbey Field, Colchester, on July 4.

Building up to the dramatic finale of an air assault demonstration, the event will showcase the equipment and skills of 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army’s rapid reaction force.

As well as the displays, the PARAS’ 10 endurance challenge will be held on the day, while Active Essex is hosting a schools’ and families’ athletics competition – as well as giving people the chance to try out different sports and meet Essex athletes.

It is the second running of the show, with the inaugural event in 2013 attracting some 20,000 spectators.

Colonel Gary Wilkinson, Commander of Colchester Garrison, said: “The show is about linking units based at Colchester, Wattisham and Woodbridge with the community in which they live and work.

“Local residents are hugely supportive of soldiers and their families and it is important the Army gives something back in return.

“The Nepalese community is a significant part of the local population, both military and civilian, and it is important we all support their efforts to rebuild their home country after the recent earthquake.”