Thursday 6 June will mark 80 years since D-Day, when allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy.

To celebrate the bravery of those allied forces, and all the men and women of service since, a joint service of remembrance will take place at the War Memorial Art Gallery from 3pm on Thursday 6th.

The service will include the laying of poppies, and a video link-up with the Stockport Normandy Veterans' Association (NVA), who will be in Normandy on the day.

The NVA is a legacy group, which was initially formed by local Normandy veterans. Those veterans have since passed away, but their legacy continues through the friends and family members who keep the group going.

The event at the War Memorial Gallery will conclude with a two-minute silence and a playing of The Last Post.

That same morning, at 9am, the flag of peace will be raised from Stockport Town Hall.

D-Day - British Forces during the Invasion of Normandy, 6 June 1944 (Image - Wikimedia Commons / public domain)

Elsewhere, the 'focus' of D-Day commemorations in the UK will be at Southsea Common in Portsmouth. The Red Arrows will also take part in a flyover above the Channel.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "The country will pay tribute to the heroes who fought against the odds to liberate Europe 80 years ago.

"We can never forget those who sacrificed so much to defend the freedom of the UK and our closest allies."

A commemorative Torch of Liberation is also being toured around the UK at the moment, and will cross the Channel with D-Day veterans in time for a vigil at Bayeux War Cemetery on 5 June.

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