Weather concerns pause Dunkirk Little Ships return

Many of the Little Ships returning from Dunkirk have been delayed by weather concerns

Just a handful of the Little Ships which sailed from Kent to Dunkirk for the 85th anniversary celebrations will return today as planned due to weather concerns.

Dozens of ships which took part in Operation Dynamo will not sail on Monday, 26 May after organisers warned that conditions in the English Channel were "pretty much on the limit".

As few as seven ships could make the return journey to Ramsgate due to the conditions, with the rest expected to sail on Saturday, 31 May, a spokesperson for the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) said.

Ships have been taking part in celebrations to commemorate the voyage to save allied soldiers from the French coast between 26 May and 4 June 1940.

Mick Gentry, of the ADLS, said: "It will be touch and go.

"The crossing on Wednesday was pretty much on the limit of where we like to be weather-wise.

"We are hoping for some divine intervention. It's paramount that we look after the old girls."

A total of 66 boats from across Europe set off from Ramsgate on Wednesday, 21 May for Dunkirk as part of the commemorations of Operation Dynamo.

More than 338,000 soldiers were rescued, with almost 100,000 troops picked up off from the beaches by the little ships and ferried to larger vessels.

The commemorative voyage was the first which did not include any Dunkirk veterans, the ADLS said.

Many of the ships last made the journey in 2015, to mark the 75th anniversary of Operation Dynamo.