COMMUNITIES across Bradford will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day next Thursday with a variety of events and services.

Bradford City Hall will be lit up in red, white, and blue that day and a short wreath-laying ceremony will take place at Bradford Cenotaph from 11am.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Bev Mullaney and Reverend Duncan Milwain from Bradford Cathedral, as well as representatives from the Royal British Legion, will take part.

There will be a short prayer and those gathered will observe a minute’s silence in remembrance of all those who took part in D-Day.

D-Day was the largest seaborne invasion in history and marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe during the Second World War.

Maps printed by Bradford firm in 1944, Fields, were used by RAF navigators as part of the D-Day liberation - little to the workers’ knowledge at the time they were asked to produce them.

A beacon lighting ceremony, which is being organised by Bingley Remembrance Group and Bingley Town Council, will take place next Thursday in Bingley Market Square.

The commemoration will start at 8.30pm and end with reading of the International Tribute and the lighting of a special D-Day 80 beacon at around 9.15pm.

The beacon in Bingley will coincide with other beacons which are also being lit in communities across the UK, overseas territories, and along the beaches of Normandy.

Representatives of the Bingley Detachment Cadets, 3rd Bingley Sea Scouts, Spen Valley Marching Band, and All Saints Choir will be attending, as well as the Lord Lieutenant.

There will also be an event organised by Keighley Town Council in the Town Hall Square on the 80th anniversary.

This will include 1940s style music and entertainment from 6.30pm, and a beacon will be lit by the cenotaph at 9.15pm in line with the national commemoration.

The bells of All Saints Parish Church in Bingley will join in with the national Ring Out for Peace, which will be take placing at 6.30pm next Thursday.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Beverley Mullaney, said: “It is important that we keep alive the memory of all those who took part in the D-Day landings.

“Their sacrifice enables us all to enjoy the peace and freedom we have today.

“All are warmly welcome to attend to pay tribute to all those who served.”

For more information about events to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day visit: dday80.campaign.gov.uk/