A service was held in Welshpool to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in the Second World War.

Town councillors, school children and Royal British Legion representatives were among those in attendance at Welshpool’s newly refurbished war memorial in Howell Drive off Severn Road.

It was the first official service held at the memorial garden since it benefitted from a £5,000 grant from the Local Places for Nature community and town council grants scheme, an initiative intended to enable communities in Wales to restore and enhance nature.

Welshpool mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, read the proclamation written by ex-Household cavalry Christian Ashdown, which was read by town mayors at various services across the country.

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He said: “Today, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France.

"An incredible achievement in military planning and logistics by our brave service personnel from the air, sea and land forces at the beginning of Operation Overlord.

(Image: Josh Price)

“By the day’s end, over 150,000 Allied troops had successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a foothold in France.

“In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.

“We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today.”

(Image: Josh Price)

The service was led by Rev Adam Pawley and Helen Dawson, while representatives from several schools in the area were also present. Andrew Hunnisett-Church, a first aider from St John’s Ambulance, was also in attendance at what he described as a “powerful commemoration”.

Wreaths were laid down at the memorial by the mayor, as well as town councillor Phil Pritchard, Royal British Legion representative Jan Williams and the council’s operations manager Paul McGrath.

(Image: Josh Price)

On hosting the commemoration in the newly refurbished memorial garden, Mr McGrath said: “We were under a tight deadline to get it done for this commemoration so we are really happy with how it turned out.

“I’d like to thank Iron Fabric for providing our silhouette figures and Steve Bond for sorting several things out in the garden.”