A memorial parade to mark 75 years since the invasion of Normandy will take place on Thursday, 6 June.

His worshipful, the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Councillor Peter Chand, will lead a procession featuring representatives from the Royal Naval Association and Royal British Legion, as well as councillors and faith leaders, from St Margaret’s Church in Barking at 5.20pm.

At 5.30pm the parade will arrive outside Barking Town Hall, where the Mayor, the Bishop of Barking, Trevor Mwamba, and the Leader of the Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell, will mark the anniversary.

Members of the public have been invited to lend their support by gathering outside Relish Café in the Town Square.

Councillor Rodwell said: “We owe an enormous amount of gratitude to those whose bravery and sacrifice allows us the freedoms we enjoy today.

“Soldiers from countries across the world united and fought against fascists to build a better future, and I’d urge everyone to come along and commemorate the anniversary with us if they can.”

Codenamed Operation Overlord, D-Day took place on 6 June 1944 and was the beginning of the Allied Forces’ military operations to liberate Nazi-occupied Europe.

According to the BBC, around 2,500 Allied soldiers were killed on the first day.