Yesterday The Cheltenham Trust lita beacon in honour of the 80^th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in northern France in World War II.

At 9.15pm the beacon was lit at Pittville Pump Room, at the same time as beacons were lit on the five assault beaches in Normandy, Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, marking the significant moment in history that changed the course of World War II.

On 6 June 1944 Allied forces launched a combined naval, air and land assault on Nazi-occupied France, the Operation Overlord D-D Landings in Normandy. 18,000 Allied airborne forces parachuted into drop zones across Northern France, more than 130,000 ground troops then landed on five assault beaches in the largest seaborne invasion in history, with nearly 7,000 naval vessels, including battleships, destroyers, minesweepers, escorts and assault taking part. Aircraft flew 14,000 sorties in supported of the landings.

By the end of the day, the Allies had established a foothold along the Normandy coast and could begin their advance, beginning the liberation of France and the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.

Join us on Sunday, 9 June, for an afternoon of free wartime themed entertainment, food, drinks, music, vehicles, clothes and dance at the pump room from 1pm to 5pm. The Heritage Café will be transformed into a wartime tearoom serving afternoon teas, ice cream sundaes, with live music from vintage singer Miss Em, and music of the era with DJs Rob McElvanney, Paul Grace and Mervyn Morris. Dancers welcome. Why not come dressed in the style of the 1940s? There will be awards for the best dressed child and adult of the era.

We look forward to welcoming you to mark this historic occasion together.