Devon and Cornwall mark 80th anniversary of D-Day

A memorial service at Saltash Passage took place marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day

Events across Devon and Cornwall have taken place to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

On 6 June 1944 the world’s largest invasion by sea and air helped to turn the tide of World War Two as the Allies fought back against Nazi Germany.

Commemoration events such as memorial services and beacon lighting took place at a number of locations, including Plymouth, Falmouth and the Isles of Scilly.

On the Devon and Cornwall border, a memorial service at Saltash Passage started at 10:30 BST.

There was a wreath-laying service at Saltash passage

It is where an estimated 36,000 US soldiers of V and VII Corps left on their way to land on Omaha and Utah Beaches.

The event was organised by the Federation of Ex-Services Associations - a group that supports veterans and service-related organisations.

A beacon was lit at 21:15 BST at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth.

Barry Brooking, a former royal marine and local historian in Saltash, was at the memorial service at Saltash Passage.

He said: "It's very important [to mark the day] for any former serviceman.

"The generation before ours gave their lives.

"We're determined not to forget them."

Barry Brooking is a former royal marine and local historian

George Cooper, a lighthouse engineer who will be lighting a beacon at Peninnis Lighthouse on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly, said it was important to "commemorate the momentous achievements of the D-Day landings".

Trinity House, the official authority for lighthouses in the country, said it would be lighting a number of lighthouses to mark the day.

Mr Cooper said: "I thought it would be a good idea to get one out to the Isles of Scilly just to include it in the celebration, it being the most south-westerly land-based lighthouse."

He added: "We'll be collectively remembering everything we sacrificed during the D-Day landings across all nationalities and all armed forces."

Peninnis Lighthouse joined other lighthouses in the country in being lit up at 21:15 BST.

A beacon was lit at the Royal Citadel on Thursday evening

In November 1943, the US Navy set up an advanced amphibious base in Plymouth and in January 1944, a temporary camp for about 2,000 men opened on Vicarage Road as a training camp in preparation for the Normandy Landings.

It remained operational until August 1945.

In Cornwall, a wreath-laying service took place in Kimberley Park in Falmouth at 11:00 BST.

A flotilla event which will include 80 boats took place in the afternoon.

The fleet of vessels travelled down the channel of the Carrick Roads and ended near Gyllyngvase beach.

A memorial service took place earlier