A poignant service has been held outside Norwich's war memorial today to remember those who lost their lives on one of the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day landings.

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France.

And today a handful of veterans were among those who gathered outside the war memorials at Norwich City Hall in glorious summer sunshine to remember those who lost their lives in what was the largest ever amphibious attack in history.

Reverend Robert Avery, vicar at St Peter Mancroft Church in Norwich, led the short service which was also attended by civic dignitaries, including Lord Mayor Marion Maxwell.

Rev Avery said they were remembering the 'lives, the courage and the heroism of those who fought and those who gave their lives for our freedom'.

Wreaths were laid at the base of the war memorials by civic dignitaries and some veterans whose health had prevented them from making the annual pilgrimage to Normandy, including Len Mann, 71, Len Bennett, 91, and Fred Fitch, also 91.

Brian Wilson, chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich Combined Ex-Services' Association, one of the service organisers said it was 'important' the service was held each year and would carry on making sure a remembrance event was held.