Firm proud to produce D-Day commemoration torches

Simon Thomas said he felt emotional to be able show his appreciation for those who fought on D-Day

Workers have said they felt "emotional" and "proud" to have created beacons that will be lit to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Bullfinch in Tysley, Birmingham, manufactured 75 beacons which will light up simultaneously across the UK at 21:15 BST.

The firm also created a special handle for the torch that will ignite a flame at the national commemorative event in Portsmouth.

Technical manager Chris Andrews said he was "very proud indeed" and hoped to create a "lasting legacy".

Chris Andrews said the handle of the torch contained sand from the five Normandy beaches landed on by Allied forces

The handle of the torch to be used in Portsmouth contains grains of sand from each of the five beaches Allied troops landed on in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

Mr Andrews said: "It’s a direct link to what happened 80 years ago."

Quality engineer Simon Thomas added: "It makes us feel so emotional that... we're actually able to put something out there for everybody to see.

"I think it’s like the whole country coming together as one to actually show our appreciation."

The company previously designed and manufactured the burners used for London 2012 and beacons for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.