WEYMOUTH’S special wartime links with Guernsey were marked by the borough’s first citizen in one of her last duties.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Anne Kenwood was invited to the Channel isle as a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the evacuation of 4,000 Guernsey children to the UK mainland during the Second World War.

The ceremony took place in St Peter Port and was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the evacuation.

Island youngsters travelled to Weymouth by boat in June 1940, just before invading German forces occupied the Channel Islands.

The evacuees were housed in Weymouth before travelling onto to other parts of the UK. Most did not see their families again for five years.

A number of dignitaries representing different parts of the UK were invited to attend the plaque unveiling.

Representing Guernsey were the civic head of the island, The Bailiff of Guernsey Sir Geoffrey Rowland, and Deputy Mike O’Hara, the Minister for Culture and Leisure.

Following the ceremony, Councillor Kenwood attended a reception hosted by Sir Geoffrey and a lunch for all evacuees at Elizabeth College in St Peter Port. The same weekend also saw celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of Guernsey’s Liberation from the occupying forces.

More than 750 islanders who were evacuated, lived through the occupation or saw active service during the war attended a traditional 1940s tea dance and hangar ball, while 5,000 racing pigeons were released for a special Liberation Royal Open Race.

A 1km Liberation Celebrations Cavalcade, including more than 100 period military vehicles plus vintage cars, bicycles and tractors, travelled down Guernsey’s east coast before arriving in St Peter Port, watched by thousands of spectators.

Coun Kenwood said: “I was delighted to accept the invitation to join the people of Guernsey to mark this important anniversary. The links between the borough and the Channel Islands have always been strong.

“These special links were shown when Weymouth and Portland families housed young evacuees from Guern-sey.”

Coun Kenwood thanked Condor Ferries for providing free travel.

l Weymouth was also the entry port for the population of Alderney as the whole island was evacuated in June 1940 due to the German invasion.