Beacon to light up Epsom Downs to mark D-Day

The beacon on Epsom Downs was lit for the first time to mark the Platinum Jubilee

A beacon lighting ceremony to mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day has been given the go ahead.

The event will take place on the evening of 6 June on the Epsom Downs.

It has been approved by the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators, a group which meets at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

The group gave the event the green light at a meeting on Monday and confirmed part of the racecourse would be open for refreshments.

Toilets facilities and shelter from any possible wet weather will also be available at the racecourse while the event takes place at the view point car park.

The racecourse is home each year to the Epsom Derby, which will be held on 1 June.

The meeting was warned the some areas would be fenced off on 6 June due to the racehorse event.

The beacon lighting will commemorate the Normandy landings, the largest naval, air and land operation in history which will be marked across the country.

Fish and chips will be available to buy at the racecourse, with National Fish and Chip Day moving from its traditional Friday slot to coincide with the D-Day celebrations.

A permanent beacon was installed on Epsom Downs to mark the Platinum Jubilee.