TRIBUTE was paid to the heroes and fallen of the D-Day invasion at a number of events across Basildon and the surrounding area on the 80th anniversary of the landings in Normandy.

Among those taking a prominent role in commemorations was Conservative general election candidate and long-serving, MP Stephen Metcalfe.

He said: "It's 80 years since British and Allied troops landed in France to free Europe from Nazi occupation. For veterans, the landings are still within living memory. We are forever indebted to those who made enormous sacrifices for our freedom.

"I know this is an important moment for South Basildon and East Thurrock so I am honoured to have been able to play my part.

"At Pitsea's War Memorial in Howard Park, I was joined by Briscoe Primary School and Rev Simon Law for the national memorial proclamation.

"I then visited Briscoe to judge their D-Day poetry reading competition and headed to Maydells Court retirement village to chat to residents about their memories of D-Day. Pupils from Briscoe performed some wartime songs which went down a treat.

"It was fantastic to round off a great day of D-Day commemorations with the lighting of the remembrance beacon at Wat Tyler Country Park. There was a big crowd and many took part in reading the national tribute and lighting the lantern of peace. As founder and patron of the Forget Never Project, who led many of the commemorations, I am very proud of all they have achieved in marking such an important day.

"It's very poignant that we now have beacons lit in Bulphan, East Tilbury, Grays, Purfleet, and Wat Tyler park."