Hundreds of D-Day veterans are set to return to the county this evening following a historic voyage commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

The veterans began their seven-day voyage earlier this week, travelling from the Port of Dover to Normandy.

Adverse weather conditions has meant the ship has been diverted from its original course and will no longer be docking in Portsmouth for the official welcome home party and fireworks display this evening.

Instead, it will be arriving in Dover at 9pm this evening.

The Royal British Legion is calling on the people of Dover to head to the coastline to welcome home 255 veterans, who have been travelling aboard the MV Boudicca.

Bob Gamble, assistant director at The Royal British Legion, said: “Unfortunately the weather conditions mean that our veterans will miss out on the activity the people of Portsmouth had planned for them as they arrived back, therefore we are asking the people of Dover to step up and give our Normandy heroes the welcome back they deserve.

“We’re encouraging people to do whatever they can this evening from heading to the coast to wave the ship in to holding lit phone screens towards the ship so the veterans can see them.”

Hundreds gathered around Kent on Wednesday to watch Dakotas fly across the county.

Read more: All the latest news from Dover