WAR veteran Geoffrey Brogden is to return to Normandy for the first time in 60 years in June to commemorate the D-Day landings of 1944.

The 82-year-old Ramsgreave pensioner took part in the Allied invasion of northern France, which helped defeat the Nazis and end the Second World War.

Now, thanks to financial support from the National Lottery, he is to travel back to the beach battlefields where thousands lost their lives.

Over 200 North West veterans and friends are expected to make the trip to pay their respects to fallen comrades. Mr Brogden, of Ramsgreave Road, grew up in Clitheroe and attended the National, Pendle and Ribblesdale Schools. He later became an engineer before his call-up in 1943, aged 21.

He served with the Light Aid Detachment attached to the 2nd Middlesex Regiment, based at Orkney and Dumfries, before being stationed in Southampton as D-Day approached.

Recalling his time in the military, he said: "We didn't know where we were going. It was guess work.

"We water-proofed Bren guns and Jeeps and maintained landing equipment and, one night, we set sail with an escort of navy ships. There were hundreds of landing craft.

"When it became light the following morning, the big Navy boats had gone. We were out in the middle of the Channel, feeling vulnerable and exposed. But a big American boat came and we were given our instructions.

"We landed at Ouistreham, near Caen. There were bullets and shells going off but it wasn't as fortified as other spots. Some landing craft were sunk but we got to within 50ft of the shore. We made it to the beach and got bedded-in. The Germans were about 500 yards away in pill boxes. We headed inland and found a little hamlet. There was fighting all the way."

Thousands were killed, injured or went missing during the conflict but the landings led to victory in Europe.

Mr Brogden, who is not involved in veterans associations, said: "I do think the importance of D-Day is worth emphasising, especially to youngsters. Some of them don't know anything about it."

After demobbing in 1947, Mr Brogden worked as an engineer with ICI for 25 years. Now retired, he is a member of Clitheroe's 41 Club, which is connected to the Round Table.

He received £780 for travel costs from the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund.