EX-SERVICEMEN gathered in Atherton last Sunday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Veterans from across the borough attended the emotional service at Atherton Parish Church where people remembered the bravery shown by thousands of soldiers who stormed on to the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Rector, the Reverend Bill Baldwin, Area Dean of Leigh, read out a copy of the letter which Field Marshal Montgomery read out to his troops more than six decades ago.

Standard bearers laid wreaths in the church and the packed congregation sang a number of traditional hymns and a rousing rendition of the National Anthem.

A lone trumpeter sounded the last post, which was followed by a two minute silence -- observed impeccably by everyone at the service.

Rev Baldwin said that it had been an emotional service for everyone who attended.

He said: "Reading Monty's letter brought a few tears to the eyes of veterans at the service. It was very pleasing to see a number of young people at the service. To them it is just history but it was very nice to see them appreciate the bravery shown by those veterans 60 years ago."

After the service, a social gathering with the veterans took place.