THE Battle of Britain Memorial Trust is to hold its annual tribute to the airmen who fought the German Luftwaffe in 1940 on Sunday, July 7. Veterans of the fighting, senior RAF figures and members of the public are expected to turn out in large numbers at the clifftop national memorial to The Few at Capel le Ferne, near Folkestone.

Trust secretary, Group Captain Patrick Tootal, said: "The memorial site should look better than ever this year, thanks to the maintenance work carried out by Dover District Council. We are already making plans to ensure that the day provides a considerable spectacle, as well as a moving tribute to everybody who contributed, in whatever way, to ensuring that this country remained free."

Everybody is welcome to attend the Memorial Day. No tickets are required. However, a limited number of tickets costing £25 are available, offering visitors the chance to join veterans, official guests and members of The Friends of The Few in the official guest enclosure for lunch and tea.

These can be obtained from Group Captain Patrick Tootal at 4 The Croft, Leybourne, West Malling, Kent, ME19 5QD. Public access to the memorial is available at all times. The visitor centre will re-open for the season at the beginning of April.