DUDLEY will be marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with a parade and thanksgiving service this Sunday (September 20).

The event will pay tribute to those who fought and died during the battle which saved Britain from invasion during World War II.

Six squadrons of the Air Training Corps will start the event with a parade through the town just before 11am to St Thomas and St Luke Church (Top Church) ahead of a service at 11.30am.

Members of the public are invited to attend the service which will be officiated by Reverend Canon Andrew Wickens and attended by veterans and civic guests.

Afterwards, there will be a parade past the Council House in Priory Road, where the salute will be taken.

The parade will then wind up at the cenotaph in Ednam Road where there will be a short service including a moment of silence and the laying of wreaths.

Councillor Steve Waltho, Mayor of Dudley, 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.”

The Battle of Britain - the most important Royal Air Force campaign of World War II - was fought between July and September 1940 and the RAF’s victory against Hitler’s Luftwaffe saved Britain from invasion.

Although the battle was concentrated in the south of England and directed at RAF bases, Dudley did become a victim of the Lutfwaffe on more than one occasion.

St Thomas and St Luke Church still bears the shrapnel scars from a bomb that was dropped by the Three Swans pub in November 1940.