VETERANS joined cadets and serving air personnel to remember what Winston Churchill called Britain's finest hour.

More than 400 members of the North Yorkshire Royal Air Force Association held their annual Battle of Britain memorial service and parade at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

It was the first of this year's events to commemorate those who fought in the battle and it was also the first time it had been held at an operational RAF station.

Led by an Air Cadet band from 110 (City of York) Squadron, medal-wearing veterans marched with the colours and standards flying high.

Base commander Group Captain Andy Sudlow took the march-past salute in honour of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Britain.

Among the heroes on parade was Richard Emly, a highly-decorated veteran who completed many operations.

"It was great to see so many of the younger generation there. They are the future and they will look after us as we have done them in the years to come," he said.

The memorial service was conducted by Linton chaplain, the Reverend Squadron Leader John Hetherington, after which a sound familiar to the veterans approached the airfield - a Lancaster bomber from the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Event organiser John Allison said: "With 2005 being the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we wanted to make this event particularly special. It was a splendid sight to see our members marching with such pride. When the Lancaster flew over, it brought back many memories."

Later this month, Rafa will hold its main Battle of Britain memorial service and parade at York Minster.