More than a dozen veterans made a poignant journey last week as Alton commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day on both sides of the Channel.

Services took place at the war memorial last Thursday and Saturday in honour of those who changed the tide of history exactly 80 years before.

The first service was a simple affair with around 30 people gathering for a 9am proclamation and commemoration organised by the Alton branch of the Royal British Legion.

It was repeated at 10am on Saturday with standard bearers and Alton’s mayoress, Cllr Annette Eyre, in attendance for a ceremony which included the sounding of the Last Post and a rendition of the National Anthem.

Around 15 Alton-area veterans also sailed to France last week to take part in the D-Day 80 commemorations in Normandy.

“Some of them were actual D-Day veterans so they were looked after by the Royal British Legion,” said Alton RBL chairman, Dan Smith.