OLD soldiers have paid their respects at the funeral of Ronnie Henderson, one of the first British tank drivers to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day.

A handful of surviving war veterans were among the mourners at the service for him at St Mary's Parish Church, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Mr Henderson, who was 80, travelled to Normandy in June for the 60th anniversary of the landings, even though he was unwell and feared he might not make it.

His son, Alan, who went with him, said: "He was determined to go despite his illness as it was such a historic occasion. He was pleased to meet some of his old comrades who took part in the landings.

"We passed through some of the villages he helped to liberate, and was delighted with the warm welcome he and the other men got from the French people. Despite being unwell, he had a wonderful time."

Mr Henderson was in the 13/18th Hussars when he drove an amphibious tank ashore on Sword Beach in Normandy, and then helped to head the British attack through Northern France.

He seldom spoke about his war exploits, in which he was slightly wounded.

He was nearly killed twice -once when a German shell passed between him and a friend as they sat on a wall, and another time when a shell exploded near him as he sheltered in a ditch.

Terry Nunn, a former mayor of Barnard Castle, who served in the Hussars after the war, said: "Ronnie was a wonderful old soldier. He was proud of being part of a great regiment, but was modest about what he did during the war."

After the war, Mr Henderson helped re-form Barnard Castle Band, in which he played euphonium and became conductor. Donations in lieu of flowers were given for the band at the service.

He drove lorries and buses for a living after he was demobbed. He leaves his wife, Edna, a daughter and three sons.