A SPECIAL parade and thanksgiving service will mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain in Dudley next month.

The commemoration event on Sunday September 20 will pay tribute to those who fought and died during the battle which saved Britain from invasion during the Second World War.

Air Training Corps squadrons will start the event with a parade through the town centre, before 11am, to St Thomas and St Luke Church (Top Church).

The service will take place at 11.30am, which members of the public are invited to attend, and after the service there will be a parade past the council house in Priory Road, where the salute will be taken.

The parade will finish at the cenotaph in Ednam Road, with a short service to include a moment of silence and laying of wreaths.

Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Steve Waltho, said: “We are very proud in Dudley of the sacrifices made by all service men and women to protect our country.

“This special parade and service help to remind us of the great importance of the Battle of Britain and the bravery of the members of the Royal Air Force.

“Anyone who wishes to help commemorate this event is invited to watch the parade and join us for the church service followed by the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph.”

In the two weeks prior to the event, veterans and cadets will be collecting for the RAF Association charity across the borough.

During the Battle of Britain, a bomb was dropped by the Three Swans pub in November 1940, causing damage to St Thomas and St Luke Church which still bears the shrapnel scars.

A special bronze plaque to commemorate this event and a 1916 Zeppelin airship raid during the First World War is soon to be embedded into the pavement near the church.