Young and old alike show their support for Marine A

A rally's been taking place outside Parliament in support of a Royal Marine from Somerset who was jailed for murdering a Taliban insurgent.

Former service personnel joined friends and family of Sergeant Alexander Blackman, who's serving eight years in prison. Today's event follows a similar rally calling for his release exactly a year ago.

Standing firm in support of Alexander Blackman in the shadow of Big Ben Credit: ITV News

Alexander Blackman, who is from Taunton and served with Plymouth-based 42 Commando, was jailed for life in 2013 for murdering a wounded Afghan insurgent in Helmand.

Leading psychiatrists have found Mr Blackman, known as Marine A, was suffering from an undiagnosed mental illness at the time.

Alexander Blackman has been jailed for murdering a wounded Afghan insurgent Credit: Justice for Marine A

The 'Justice for Marine A' campaign is calling for the murder verdict to be overturned or at least reduced to manslaughter.

It has some high profile supporters, including the author Frederick Forsyth who said he was abandoning writing and will now be focusing on the campaign.

Mr Blackman's wife Claire says she is overwhelmed by today's turn out.

Today's rally had plenty of razzmatazz. A 'Justice for Marine A' band and even a motorbike parade added lots of colour to the event.

Music for Marine A - it wasn't just speeches at the rally Credit: ITV News