On Thursday at 11am two events will be held in Blackburn with Darwen to mark 80 years since D-Day.

Members of the public have been invited to attend the civic ceremonies outside the borough's two town halls.

They will commemorate the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, which saw the start of the final Second World War campaign to liberate Western Europe and defeat the Nazis.

At 11am in Blackburn's Town Hall Square, Blackburn with Darwen Mayor Cllr Brian Taylor will welcome officers, representatives of the armed forces, schoolchildren and the public to a flag-raising ceremony.

A poem will be read by Brayden Hartley – a marketing and communications apprentice at Blackburn with Darwen Council - before the ceremonial flag is raised, followed by two minutes' silence.

A prayer will then be delivered by the Dean of Blackburn, The Very Reverend Peter Howell-Jones.

In Darwen Market Square, also at 11am Deputy Mayor Cllr Jacqui Slater will be providing a welcome to the ceremony.

A poem will be read by a pupil from Darwen Vale High School, and the Deputy Mayor will pass the flag to a member of the uniformed flag party personnel to be raised.

Following two minutes' silence, a prayer will be delivered by Reverend Alison Mitchell from St Peter’s Church in Darwen.

Cllr Taylor said: "To celebrate 80 years since D-Day is hugely significant.

"We are here today because of the bravery that our troops showed then and we should take the time to honour our veterans and remember those who lost their lives.

"I hope many will choose to join the ceremonies held at Blackburn Town Hall or Darwen Town Hall to show their respects."