Beacon commemorates D-Day landings 80 years on

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings

A beacon will be lit on Surrey's Epsom Downs to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings this year.

The D-Day landings by the Allied forces during World War Two saw 156,000 troops land on the coast of France on 6 June 1944 and marked the start of the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied north-west Europe.

Commemorative events are taking place across the country to remember those who gave their lives.

The event on Epsom Downs on 6 June is being run by Epsom & Ewell council, Go Epsom and Epsom Downs Racecourse.

Events start at 19:00 BST and a ceremony with a lone piper playing will take place at 21:00 before the beacon is lit.

The beacon will be part of a national chain of beacons lit across the country, and along the Normandy coast of France.

Councillor Clive Woodbridge said it was an opportunity to honour the thousands of people involved, adding: "Their brave actions enable us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today."