Isle of Man commemorates 80th anniversary of D-Day

Wreaths were laid in front of the Douglas war memorial in and early morning service

Commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings are taking place on the Isle of Man.

On 6 June 1944, tens of thousands of soldiers landed on five beaches in Normandy, northern France, signalling the start of the campaign to liberate Europe during World War Two.

Crowds gathered in Douglas for a wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial on the promenade at 06:30 BST.

The events also included the final day of pipers playing the piece Highland Laddie, signifying the end of the countdown to the anniversary.

Alistair Lothian, who played at St John's was the final piper to play in the countdown

The piping initiative, which has seen pipers across the British Isles take part, was organised to commemorate Canadian piper Bill Millin, who played bagpipes as he led the 1st Commando Brigade ashore on the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944.

A crowd gathered in Douglas to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings

Carl Underwood , who is chairman of the Douglas branch of the Royal British Legion which organised the early morning ceremony on the seafront in the island’s capital, said it was “great” to see such a a good turnout.

The legion said it had chosen the early start time to coincide with the time the naval and aerial bombardment of Normandy had begun in 1944.

Carl Underwood said it was important to mark the "significant milestone"

Mr Underwood said it was “very important to remember” what those who took part in the D-Day landings “went through 80 years ago”.

He said while "every year is important" the 80th was a "significant milestone, especially when the last of the veterans possibly won’t see the 85th or the 90th".

Other events include the ringing of the 12 bells of St George’s Church in Douglas at 19:00 and a service of remembrance at the Royal Chapel in St John’s at 20:00.

The commemorations conclude with the lighting of beacons at the National War Memorial in St John’s and the tower at St Ninian’s Church in Douglas.