The Weymouth leg of a D-Day memorial voyage will go ahead by sea after a boat was secured.

A replica of the bagpipes played by Private Bill Millin who famously led commandos onto Sword beach in June 1944 is being transported around the country, and is due to arrive in Weymouth this week.

There were fears the pipes, which are being played at different ports, would have to arrive by car as no boat had been arranged for the sailing from Exmouth.

John Phipps, chairman of the D-Day Revisited charity which is organising the Millin-Montgomery voyage, said they have now secured a boat thanks to Portland Port.

The pipes will arrive on Thursday ready for a D-Day memorial service on the harbourside which people are being invited to attend.

Mr Phipps said: “We have reached an arrangement with Portland Port, and they are supplying us with a pilot vessel.

“It will pick up the piper on Thursday and take him into Weymouth Harbour for 10am.

“The Royal British Legion of Weymouth will then be holding a ceremony by the Pavilion at 10.30am, which the D-Day piper will take part in.”