AROUND 200 air cadets and veterans from across the North-East held a parade to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The parade on Sunday was held in Durham City to mark 76 years since the Second World War air battle between the RAF and Hitler’s Luftwaffe.

Air Training Corps cadets and veterans from Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham formed up on Palace Green before marching into Durham Cathedral for a service of commemoration.

The Battle of Britain lasted from July 10, 1940 to October 31 and resulted in the deaths of 544 British and overseas air crew.

Squadron leader Chris Miller, training officer for Durham/Northumberland Wing and one of the parade organisers, said: “Every air cadet knows about the Battle of Britain and the commemoration parade is an important day for them.

“It is only right that we remember what these young men did for our country. They helped give us our freedom.

“It is wonderful to be able to bring veterans and young air cadets together like this, and to see the pride the Battle of Britain even now instils in people of all ages. It is a real life David and Goliath story from which we can still learn so much.”

This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Air Training Corps, which was set up in 1941 to train young RAF pilots during the war.

In Sunderland, a civic reception is being held for veterans to mark the anniversary.

On Thursday, September 15, the mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Alan Emerson is holding an event in the mayor's parlour, where former service men and women will receive commemorative lapel badges.