Battle of Britain veterans mark Kent memorial unveiling

The National Memorial to "the few " was unveiled by the Queen Mother

Veterans of the Battle of Britain have been joined by Prince Michael of Kent to honour the heroism of "the few" who fought in the skies over Kent in WWII.

The annual service and parade took place at the Battle of Britain memorial at Capel le Ferne, near Folkestone.

It also marked the 20th anniversary of the unveiling of the National Memorial by the Queen Mother.

The statue shows a seated pilot looking out over the English Channel at the centre of a white propeller.

Since its unveiling the site has developed to include a replica Spitfire and Hurricane - recently returned after renovation and repainting - and the Christopher Foxley-Norris Memorial Wall, which lists the names of nearly 3,000 aircrew who took part in the Battle of Britain.

Visitor centre

Prince Michael is patron of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and this year's Memorial Day marked the 73rd anniversary of the battle.

On parade were about a dozen members of the group of men Sir Winston Churchill first described as "the few".

The event featured a display by a Spitfire and Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as well as music from the RAF Central Band and 305 (Ashford) Squadron of the Air Training Corps.

Last month it was announced that building work is to get under way on a visitor centre for the site.

It will be in the shape of a Spitfire wing and is due to open in time for the 75th anniversary in 2015.