THEY fought on the beaches and returned home as heroes but members of the Normandy Landing Association have succumbed to a battle they could not win -- against time.

After 27 years the group -- which is run independently from the national body of the Normandy Veterans' Association -- has seen membership dwindle from more than 70 to under 20.

President Harry Parkin said the members who actually took part in the famous D-Day landings on June 6 1944 is now just 12.

On Sunday the Blackburn and District members will attend a service at St Stephen's Church, Little Harwood, before hanging up their flag for good.

A standard, which bears the names of every member who died since joining the association engraved on a silver disc, will be displayed in Fulwood Barracks, Preston, to ensure that, despite the break-up of the group, their memory will live on.

Mr Parkin, who was voted president after the death of the former president and founder member Major Brian Jones 12 years ago, said the demise of the association was the end of an era.

The 77-year-old, who landed on the beaches at Normandy on his 20th birthday, said: "It is sad but we are all getting old. I am disabled and don't think I'll be able to make it this year but I'll try."

Harry, of Dover Street, Lower Darwen, was among the first paratroopers to land on the beach in 1944. His mission was to take out an enemy gun battery under the command of a stern leader.

Harry said: "It was hell, that's the only way to describe it. The gun battery was guarded by barbed wire and mines but the officer in charge said we were going to take it no matter what happened and we did."

Joyce Croft, welfare officer of the association, said the battle against time was one the association -- whose members either went to Normandy or were closely linked to it -- knew they were always going to face.

Joyce, who landed in Normandy in August with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, said: "We always knew it would have to end but it is still very sad. It has been 57 years since D-Day and we could not carry on for ever. It has been a wonderful group."

The association -- the only one in East Lancashire -- hopes as many people as possible will attend the service this Sunday, which starts at 10.30am.