D-DAY will be celebrated across Dorset with a huge variety of events planned across the county.

On Thursday towns across west Dorset will mark 80 years since the allied forces crossed the English Channel to storm the beaches of Normandy, a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom during the Second World War.

The day is important for many families across the UK but particularly in Dorset where many of the troops left the shores of Weymouth and Portland with many never returning.

Below is a full schedule of events for Thursday, June 6 in ten towns across the county.

Weymouth

A display of military vehicles will set off from Weymouth to Castletown before arriving at the Nothe Gardens all day on Thursday, June 6.

Weymouth chippy Bennetts will be serving fish and chips between 4pm and 8pm from its van at the Nothe Gardens.

An outdoor big screen at the gardens will broadcast national coverage and historical footage relevant to the era between 3pm and 9pm.

The Nothe Fort will be hosting entertainment, exhibitions and an immersive soundscape throughout the day, followed by an international tribute and a beacon lighting event.

Various time slots are available between 4pm and 9.30pm which can be booked on the Nothe Fort website.

Limited tickets are left for these events.

The beacon lighting will take place at 9.15pm.

Portland

On Portland,  June 6 will begin with a D-Day proclamation at Castletown Beach at 8am.

This will be followed by a service of Remembrance at 11am in Victoria Gardens and then a wreath laying service at the Cenotaph at New Ground.

Between 3pm and 9pm The New Ground will also have a large outdoor screen with D-Day films playing.

At 6.30pm, there will be a bell-ringing ceremony for peace at St George's Church, St John's Church and All Saints Church.

At 9.15pm, The New Ground will host an international tribute and beacon lighting.

The Portland Museum will also be open between 10.30am and 4pm with a D-Day exhibition, the museum will be free to enter for Portland residents, with last entry at 3.30pm.

St John's Church will also have a viewing of the American D-Day flag.

At the D-Day Centre in Castletown, there will also be a range of hands-on events.

Military vehicle enthusiasts will be able to watch a convoy of authentic Second World War vehicles that will arrive at the centre at 12.30pm.

Following a 90-minute static display, the convoy will be depart for the 2pm service at the Portland cenotaph.

Vehicles will then be on display at the top of the island, near the Portland Heights Hotel, until 3.30pm.

Visitors can get the chance to handle authentic Second World War uniforms, weapons and equipment, as well as an opportunity to climb aboard the museum’s Sherman tank.

The centre also includes a full-size replica Spitfire, a Bofors 40mm gun, a range of interactive audio-visual displays and a D-Day bunker.

Dorchester

A D-Day ceremony will take place at 9am at the war memorial outside County Hall in Dorchester.

The service will commence with The Proclamation read by Dorchester Town Crier, Mr Anthony Harrison and will include messages from charities and the chair of Dorset Council, Cllr Stella Jones MBE.

On June 6, a beacon lighting event will be held on Salisbury Field from 8.30pm until 9.30pm.

The service will include a performance of gospel songs by Dorchester schools and the Cloud 9 chorus, readings by US soldiers, excerpts from Private Terry Parker's Illicit D-Day Diary and an international tribute.

Chickerell

Mayor of Chickerell, Councillor John Dean, will host his first community event with a short Service of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony at St Mary's Churchyard.  

The service, led by Rev Jo Haine, will begin at 11am.  

In recognition of this historic anniversary, Chickerell Town Council will donate and install a D-Day Commemorative Unknown Tommy Statue at the churchyard.  

The day’s activities also include a small exhibition and the lighting of the Lamp Light of Peace.

Sherborne and Gillingham

Beacon lighting events will also take place in Sherborne at 9.15pm on the Terrace Playing fields.

A D-Day event will also take place in Gillingham at Hardings Park from 7pm until 9pm, with a beacon lighting after 9pm.

Bridport 

A proclamation will be made in Bucky Doo Square in Bridport at 11am with the town crier.

There will also be two talks held the week after D-Day in Bridport.

Lyme Regis

Events in Lyme Regis will begin with a torchlight procession at 9pm 

The torchlight procession will start from the Gin Shop on the Cobb at 9pm and proceed along the seafront to Cobb Gate and on to Gun Cliff where a beacon will be lit at around 9.15pm, representing the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war.

Beaminster 

Events in Beaminster will begin with a Museum Exhibition in the Town Hall from 3pm until 8pm.

At 6.30pm The Nation's Bells will ring out.

Then in the evening at 7pm there will be a parade, followed by a lighting of the Beacon and a service of commemoration.

Burton Bradstock

A D-Day commemoration will be hosted at The Beacon on Cliff Road in Burton Bradstock from 8.30pm.

A piper will play at 9pm and a beacon will be lit at 9.15pm.