RESIDENTS of Weymouth and Portland enjoyed a picnic at the Nothe Fort to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Continuing from Friday's commemoration services of the Allied Forces invasion, the borough council organised the family-friendly picnic to informally mark the anniversary.

Visitors basked in the sunshine as 1940s-style entertainment was performed by harmony group The Decadettes and the Weymouth Concert Brass Band.

American military vehicles used for the invasion were also on display, which was organised by Poppy Butcher, who worked on Portland Dockyard at the time.

Mrs Butcher said: “I think it is very important to remember all the young boys and girls that went over for the invasion and this is a nice celebration of the landings.”

Ian Bruce, brief holder for tourism at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “This is one of the main things that the council does to commemorate the landings, and it has been great.

“The vehicle display was excellent, The Decadettes are really evocative of that whole era and the brass band is always good fun.

“We have a lot of memorial type of events in Weymouth and Portland because of our military history and to an extent this is more of a celebration than a commemoration, celebrating those who came back and the achievements of the landings.”

Steve Davies, promotions officer at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “This was one of the best ones we have had.

“We were extremely lucky with the weather but the line up of entertainment we had really did capture everyone's imagination.

“This event gives families and youngsters a more informal setting to commemorate and celebrate the landings, and I was really impressed with the amount of youngsters who came because that is what this event is all about.

Cllr Ian Bruce, brief holder for tourism, said: “We have a lot of memorial type of events in Weymouth and Portland because of our military history and to an extent this is more of a celebration than a commemoration, celebrating those who came back and the achievements of the landings.”