Southampton will pay its respects to D-Day veterans on the 80th anniversary today.

Commemorations of the 1944 Normandy landings will take place across the city and beyond.

Troops from the UK, France, Canada, and the US attacked German forces along the northern coast of France on June 6, 1944.

This laid the crucial foundations for the Allied victory in the Second World War.

Southampton as a city played a vital role in the preparation and planning of the landings, with the actions of those involved remembered today.

The city’s commemorations will start at 8am with a special proclamation on the Civic Centre steps by town crier Alan Spencer.

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Later in the day, a memorial service will be held at Holyrood Church in Southampton at 7.30pm.

The church was destroyed during the Blitz in November 1940 by enemy bombing.

It will be conducted by The Right Reverend Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester, and attended by the Lord Mayor of Southampton, veterans, and contingents from the 17 Port & Maritime Regiment.

Following the service, the regiment, the RLC Corps of Drums and Army Band Tidworth will lead a parade through the city centre, passing the Bargate, before concluding in Guildhall Square.

When the troops arrive in Guildhall Square, the Lord Mayor of Southampton will light the D-Day 80 Beacon as part of the National Beacon Initiative at approximately 8.30pm.

Leader of the council, Cllr Lorna Fielker said: "Southampton played a major role in the D-Day landings 80 years ago.

"We had so many service personnel stationed here and it is really important we remember their massive contributions towards the freedom we have today."  

Hundreds of beacons across the country will also be lit, including those close to home.

A beacon lighting will be held at Lepe Beach at 9.15pm tonight, one of the main embarkation points for troops heading to Normandy.

Those at sea are also encouraged to get involved thanks to ABP.

Ships in Southampton port on Thursday are urged to sound their horns at 8am, 11.28am and 7.30pm to mark the anniversary.

A special D-Day supplement can be found in today's edition of the Daily Echo.