ERIC Howden is planning a bike ride next month to send war veterans on a poignant journey.

Celebrating his 60th birthday in two weeks, Mr Howden is to travel to Teesside's 24 war memorials on a sponsored bike ride.

He hopes to raise as much money as he can to help send local Normandy veterans on a visit to the beaches where they landed on D-Day.

Mr Howden said each mile he pedalled would symbolise a year of freedom he and his generation might otherwise not have enjoyed had the allies lost the Second World War.

"D-Day was very important,'' said Mr Howden, Redcar branch secretary of the Royal British Legion.

"This was the start of the freedom for Europe, taking back countries the Germans had grabbed, countries which had lost their freedom.

"The ranks of the local Normandy veterans have diminished and this is a big chance for them to go back to the beaches with their families."

Europe was still at war when Mr Howden was born.

He is chairing a group made up of all the ex-services associations from the area, to organise the 60th anniversary celebrations on Sunday, June 6.

There are plans for a parade with pride of place being given to the Normandy veterans.

The marchers will be followed by a procession of military vehicles carrying veterans unable to march.

There will be a service of remembrance at Redcar cenotaph.