How every borough in Greater Manchester will remember the D-Day landings, 80 years on

The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, with the 1944 battle laying the foundation for an Allied victory. Troops from the UK, the US, Canada and France attacked German forces on the beaches at Normandy in northern France on June 6, 1944.

Not many lucky enough to survive the landings remain with us today, the 80th anniversary of those key landings across five beaches in Normandy which marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe from the grip of the Nazis.

While events to mark the anniversary have been taking place in France, the occasion is also being marked by commemorations in the UK and across Greater Manchester. Beacons will be lit around the country at 9.15pm.

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In Salford, a free open-to-the public events is taking place on the lawns in from of Salford Civic Centre, starting at 8.30pm. It's centrepiece is a specially commissioned film projected onto the Civic Centre building. It will show military footage from the era as a tribute to those who served and fought for their country.

City leaders will also deliver special sermons and tributes to mark the anniversary as Salford remembers D-Day. Food and drink will be available from vendors on site. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs or picnic blankets to sit on and experience what promises to be a very moving commemoration, with the last post played by a lone bugler as well as the national anthem to round off the night.

It's not a public event but Broughton House Veteran Care Village in Salford is also marking the occasion, with living D-Day veterans being honoured for their courage. Among them are two 100-year-olds.

Broughton House has cared for more than 8,000 veterans since it opened its doors to the ex-service community in 1916. It has recently been redeveloped into a complex with a 64-bed care home, including two 16-bed households dedicated to veterans with dementia, as well as independent living apartments, an array of modern facilities, a museum, gym, hairdressing and barber’s salon, and a restaurant and bar for residents.

In Bury, the town's mayor will lay a wreath at the Prestwich War Memorial at 9am.. There will be a reading of the D-Day declaration before marking the anniversary with a ceremonial tree planting across from the Memorial in St Mary’s Park. Later the Bury branch of the Royal Fusiliers will lay a wreath at Bury Cenotaph on Sunday 9 June at 11am.

In Radcliffe, the Radcliffe Royal British Legion wreath laying will take place at the town's cenotaph on 6 June at 10.45am. It will also host an anniversary event at St. Philip’s Community Centre, Radcliffe, on 8 June from 12.30pm. Entry is free with a donation. A 1940s themed event takes place from 6.30pm, with tickets £5 per person.

Ramsbottom Civic Hall will host an anniversary Afternoon Tea for veterans with a ukulele group performance on 6 June between 1-4pm.

In Wigan, people are invited to a large event from 10am on Saturday, June 8, at Mesnes Park. Organisers promise a family friendly event including a military vehicle showcase, entertainment, stalls and children’s funfair. The military parade will start from the Cenotaph at 10.30am and make its way down Standishgate and into the park, led by the Greater Manchester Wing Royal Air Force Air Cadet Band. Upon arrival in Mesnes Park there will be opening speeches by Colonel Asserton and Melanie Bryan OBE, a reading of the D-Day poem by the Willpower Youth Theatre Young Poets followed by a two-minute silence.

In Tameside, the borough's mayor will lay a civic wreath on the altar at Ashton Parish Church (St Michael and All Angels) on Sunday, June 9, before the regular service of Holy Communion begins at 11am. Once the service has finished, at around noon, organisations and members of the public are invited to place their own tributes in memory of all those who took part in Operation Overlord. This will be in the memorial chapel in the north aisle.

At the entrance of Trafford town hall, the council leader will light a lantern at 9.15pm on Thursday, at the same time as other beacons being lit across the nation. The light from the flame represents the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war, and in tribute to the millions who lost their lives. On Sunday, June 9, St Margaret's Church on Dunham Road in Altrincham hosts a special D-Day service from 11am.

In Bolton, a memorial service will be held at Bolton Parish Church on Sunday June 6, starting at 8pm. A beacon will also be lit at 9.15pm. The Bolton Hoover Band and The Caledonia Pipe Band will perform at the service. and two wreaths will be laid during the service.

Oldham is also hosting some events. The Deputy Mayor, Coun Eddie Moores, is attending a 'D-Day 80' service hosted by the Royal British Legion's Saddleworth branch in Uppermill on Thursday evening, starting at 7pm at the foot of Uppermill War Memorial. The Royton Branch of the Royal British Legion are holding a short service laying a wreath at the Memorial in Royton Park at 11am.

In Manchester city centre, Lord Mayor Coun Paul Andrews is hosting a civic reception in the town hall extension on Thursday evening for World War II veterans and other guests to mark the 80th anniversary.

The Royal British Legion is hosting a series of national/international events on both sides of The Channel, the closest being a remembrance service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Thursday June 6 from 2pm. Alongside the service, the RBL will be welcoming eligible D-Day and Normandy veterans and their families in a dedicated VIP area. The Arboretum will be open to the public as normal on Thursday 6 June, and visitors will be welcome to watch the D-Day 80 Service of Remembrance in the grounds.