MEMBERS of the Normandy Veterans Association have paid tribute to their fallen colleagues in France.

The Bolton branch laid wreaths at cemeteries where some of the thousands of Allied troops killed in the D-Day landings are buried.

The group also went to memorials at Sword, Juno, Omaha and Gold Beaches, where they came ashore in Northern France in 1944.

D-Day was a strategic landmark in the Second World War, when British, American and Canadian troops launched their offensive against Germany and her allies.

Alan Ratcliffe, branch secretary and trip organiser, said: "It was an honour to help the veterans return to Normandy.

"There were humorous tales and brave actions to be remembered, but it was tinged with sadness.

"You could see the tears in their eyes as they remembered their friends, who will forever be 18 or 19 in their minds.

"They were young men who never came home."

Mr Ratcliffe hopes to take the members back to Normandy in 2004 for the 60th anniversary of the campaign.

He wants to raise enough finance through sponsorship to be able to take them for free. He said: "I have already had a generous donation from Philip Barker, managing director of Barker Welding.

"Philip is far too young to have been involved in the war, but it is great that a young man shows his gratitude for what these men did."

The Normandy Veterans Association meets every third Monday at the Royal British Legion, Chorley New Road.

If you wish to sponsor the veterans contact Alan Ratcliffe on 574602.