BADGES and medals were out to shine in the Normandy Veterans Annual (NVA) Service in Southport town centre yesterday.

Around 40 veterans, widows and widowers from the Southport, West Lancashire and surrounding areas represented the NVA and a number of veteran’s organisations including the Royal British Legion.

The refurbishment of the Memorial Gardens on Lord Street meant that special arrangements had to be made with the authorities and contractors in order for the event to take place.

Phil King, chairman of the NVA’s Southport and West Lancs branch, said: “They pulled out all the stops. It was a good day for us and we’re now looking forward to the 65th anniversary. Veterans are very forward looking while they look back.”

Reverend Garth Grinham conducted the service and the wreath was laid by ex-Naval Commander Charles Preston.

The Invasion of Normandy was the largest seaborne invasion at the time, involving close to one million troops crossing the channel from England to France.

The NVA, which now has branches globally, started in Grimsby in 1981 by Arthur Flodman of the Durham Light Infantry as a means of keeping contact between veterans, as well as offering practical assistance.

After the ceremony, some retired to the Scarisbrick Hotel, Mr King said: “We enjoyed an anniversary drink.”

A medal left on an Arriva bus was handed in by the driver.