Residents, councillors and members of the Royal British Legion (RBL) gathered across Oldham this morning to commemorate the D-Day landings.

Today (Thursday, June 6) marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings which began the liberation of France and set the foundations for the Allied victory over Nazi Germany on the Western Front.

At the war memorial in Royton Park, members of the public, as well as local councillors and members of the RBL's Royton branch gathered to commemorate the landings in Normandy and to remember the thousands of young men who did not return.

Members of Royton's Royal British Legion branch led the ceremonyMembers of Royton's Royal British Legion branch led the ceremony (Image: Cllr Dave Arnott)

A wreath was laid on behalf on the RBL and to remember Ernest Spence, who died on D-Day, and Sam Brassington, who died 5 days later on June 11. 

Both men were from Royton, and members of their families were in attendance at the service.

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Councillor for Royton North Dave Arnott said: "80 years ago today, 156,000 allied troops landed across five Normandy beaches. By the end of the day, more than 4000 had lost their lives. 

"The scale of loss is difficult to comprehend.  The commemorations in 2024 will be [the] last significant milestone where we can expect to see survivors of the landings in attendance. The few remaining D-Day veterans are now in their late nineties. 

Many people from the community gathered for the serviceMany people from the community gathered for the service (Image: Cllr Dave Arnott)

"The country should pause and reflect on the sacrifice that this generation made to ensure freedom for those who came after it."

A commemorative service was also held at the Lees War Memorial, where members of the public and the Saddleworth and Lees Neighbourhood Policing Team honoured those who took part in the D-Day landings.

Tonight, a commemorative gathering will take place in Uppermill War Memorial at 7pm.