FORCES veterans, Army Cadets and others paraded through the streets of Southend at the weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings and celebrate the special role the Parachute Regiment played in the them.

Sunday’s parade was organised by the South East Essex Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association.

It attracted large numbers of former servicemen and women, who marched from the Naval and Military Club, in Royal Terrace, to St John’s Church.

Major General Ronald Monroe, a senior serving para officer, took the final salute at the end of the parade.

Churchwarden at St John’s Kay Ward, 68, who organised the parade, said: “It has been amazing.

“It’s so lovely to see them all parading together.”

Royal British Legion member Danny Cooch, 59, said: “We are so happy with the turnout to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Now we look forward to celebrating the 80th anniversary.”