A BEACON will be lit in Keighley as part of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

The ceremony will take place in Town Hall Square on Thursday, June 6, at 9.15pm – as beacons in towns, cities and villages across the UK are illuminated simultaneously.

During that evening, from 6.30pm, people will be able to enjoy 1940s-style music and entertainment in the square.

The event, being organised by Keighley Town Council, is part of activities planned throughout the country – and beyond – to mark the anniversary.

D-Day saw Allied forces mount the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed.

As part of Operation Overlord, over 5,000 ships and landing craft set down more than 130,000 troops on five Normandy beaches in an action that would bring about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.

A town council spokesperson says: "We are joining many others to remember the brave men and women who took part in D-Day – not only from our nation but from countries including America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Norway, Greece, France, Czechoslovakia, Rhodesia and Poland.

"Everyone is invited to come along to Town Hall Square."

Bruno Peek, pageant master for the D-Day 80 co-ordinating campaign, says: "In order to commemorate the peace and freedom given to us through the bravery and ultimate sacrifice of so many thousands involved in the D-Day landings – and throughout the whole of the Second World War – beacons and 'Lamp Lights of Peace' will be lit across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK overseas territories. Also, in a very poignant gesture, special Lamp Lights of Peace will be lit on each of the five beaches in Normandy at 9.15pm local time that night to coincide with the lighting of the beacons.

"Just before that, at 9.10pm, the resonant sound of bagpipes will be heard across the capital cities of London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff. We will also have a presence in the capital cities of the Allied nations that took part.

"The light from the flames of the lamps and beacons will represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war, with the lamp providing a very simple, safe, unique and cost-effective way of taking part in this important anniversary occasion, especially as once used the lamps can then be lit again at 11am on every Remembrance Sunday thereafter."