TROOPS from Bulford-based 3rd Division will play a key part in the celebrations for the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the Normandy landings that took place on June 6, 1944 and began the liberation of Europe.

The commemorations, known as Normandy 70, will be supported by members of all three armed services.

3rd (UK) Division was the division that led the assault onto Sword Beach 70 years ago, and 43 (Wessex) Division was one of the supporting formations.

Personnel from all three services will provide logistic and ceremonial support at a range of events taking place on June 5 and 6 this year in France.

On June 6, a joint UK-French service of remembrance will take place at Bayeux Cathedral, followed by a special event at the Bayeux Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery.

The Ministry of Defence is working closely with partners across government and with external agencies, including the Normandy Veterans Association, the Royal British Legion and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, to deliver a fitting programme of commemorations to mark the anniversary.

Further details, including information on the form and content of events for the anniversary, will be announced in due course.

n Veterans wishing to return to Normandy in June will be able to apply for financial support from the Big Lottery Fund, which last February extended its Heroes Return 2 scheme until December 2015. The scheme helps Second World War veterans and their spouses, widows and widowers, and accompanying helpers, to undertake commemorative visits.