
Two local 100-year-old veterans of the D-Day landings will be honoured during a parade on Morecambe Promenade on Armed Forces Day.
Richard Brock from Lancaster and Norman Smith from Morecambe will be part of the Lancaster and Morecambe District Armed Forces Day celebrations this Saturday (June 22).
The free all-day event will see the community gather to show their support for serving personnel, reservists, service families, veterans, cadets and blue light services.
It will include exhibits, displays, a performance by the RAF Falcons parachute display team, a parade and more on, around, and above Morecambe Promenade.
Flt Lt Kris Bishop from the organising team, said it was a "privilege" to have the two D-Day veterans attend the Armed Forces Day.
"As the parade goes past them, everyone will give an 'eyes right' and they will be saluted as VIPs on the day," he said.
"We're really looking forward to that as they absolutely deserve it."
LISTEN to our interview with Flt Lt Kris Bishop (pictured below)
Read more: INTERVIEW: D-Day veteran from Lancaster, 99, tells his incredible World War 2 story - Beyond Radio
VIDEO: Tyson Fury sings duet with 99-year-old D-Day veteran in Morecambe - Beyond Radio
Beyond Radio will be proudly providing announcements, information and music on the day.
Events will take place on the Promenade in the area between the Midland Hotel and the Eric Morecambe Statue, as well as at The Platform.
The RAF Falcons will perform at around 11am above and onto Morecambe South beach.
Then a parade will take place from 11.30am.
After this, all veterans will be invited back to the Platform for a musical performance by The Lancashire Belle.
Morecambe Brass Band and the Flookburgh Band will also perform on the day, and the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire will be in attendance.
"Having the RAF Falcons can drawn in tens of thousands of people," said Flt Lt Bishop.
"We'd love to have as many veterans there as possible and regular serving personnel if they are available, to join in the parade and then come and take advantage of the day."
Here are the details announced so far for this year's event:
1000 - Start of event
1030 - Static display by Morecambe Brass Band
1100 - The RAF Falcons display
1130 - Parade by Serving UK MoD personnel and veterans, from The Platform
1150 - Drumhead Service at The Bay Arena
1245 - Lunch for personnel and veterans with a performance by The Lancashire Lass in The Platform
1415 - Flookburgh Brass Band
1454 - A minute's applause and tribute reading for Sqn Ldr Mark Long
1515 - Flookburgh Brass Band
1700 - Close of event
There will also be a tribute to Sqn Ldr Mark Long, who was killed last month when his Spitfire crashed near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight featuring the Lancaster Bomber, which was scheduled to perform an air display in Morecambe, will now not take place as investigations continue into the crash.