Wigan pays tribute to the fallen on D-Day anniversary

Former service personnel attended a service at Wigan Parish Church to remember those who fought and were killed on the beaches of Normandy exactly three quarters of a century ago.

There was then an act of remembrance at the town's war memorial, with wreaths being laid and a moment of silence.

The ceremonies were arranged by Wigan Council's strategic manager for the armed forces John Harker with the support of the town's branch of the Royal British Legion.

The commemorations then continued at Wigan Infirmary where there was a poignant flag-raising ceremony.

The WWL Wings Choir performed and Kirsten Hall played the Last Post, while there was also a tank on display in the hospital grounds.

D-Day was the start of the massive Allied operation to push back the Nazi war machine during World War Two, with the invasion of occupied France starting on June 6 1944.