WAR veterans from across the UK remembered their comrades who fought and died for their country at the Battle of Britain Memorial Day.

More than 1,000 people visited Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone, at the weekend to pay tribute to the RAF pilots who defended Britain against the German airforce in 1940.

As well as around 16 of the 170 or so veterans who are still alive, there were relatives of the pilots, ATC cadets from across Kent, and representatives of countries whose pilots fought with the British.

Battle of Britain Memorial Trust trustee Geoff Simpson said: “A lot of people came who feel very strongly the battle was a turning point in British history and should be remembered.”

Air Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, the most senior man in the RAF, was the guest of honour at the ceremony at the national memorial in Dover Road.

The service started with a fly-past by a Hurricane and a Spitfire, the two main planes involved in the battle.

Veterans and members of military organisations took part in a parade and wreaths were laid on the memorial and at the Christopher Foxley-Norris memorial wall.

The wall, which was named after a Hurricane pilot, opened last year and bears the names of all the 3,000 soldiers who fought in the battle.

A total of 544 of them died during the three-and-a-half-month fight to protect Britain from invasion.

Mr Simpson added: “Since it was unveiled, we are getting more visitors and donations and a lot of people are coming to find the names of their relatives."

He added: “I am very encouraged that we get a lot of young people at the memorial day as it is important they understand the events of 1940 and who we pay tribute to.

“It is not just the people who fought in the air but those who supported them in the control rooms and the naval people who pulled them out of the sea.”

* Next year’s memorial day will be held on Sunday, July 8.