Today's youth should never forget the sacrifice made by a few brave men whose battles in the skies above southern England helped turn the course of the Second World War.

A dwindling number of men and women from across south Essex who served in the Second World War stood proudly outside St Mary's Church in Victoria Avenue, Southend for this year's Battle of Britain service, their polished medals shimmering against their dark blazers.

The concern that fewer youngsters than ever were aware of the legendary Battle of Britain was tempered by the veterans who said they were proud to see so many young Air Training Corp cadets marching with them.

Jim Stevens, 74, from Canvey, said the ex-service people were "proud of the youngsters who've come along.

"They are always being criticised, but it's nice to see the youngsters take part. Most of us were cadets once."

As Andrew Colvin, chairman of Southend's Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) branch noted, it was now 66 years ago the Spitfires and Hurricanes took on the might of the German Luftwaffe.

The 81-year-old said: "A lot of servicemen have memories from the war.

"Some are told and some are still to be told - you wonder if they will become lost."

He said he and his colleagues very much "regretted" the imminent retirement of St Mary's Canon Richard Mason who, as an ex-navy man, was very supportive of the town's veterans and led the congregation in the first prayer.

The service of remembrance itself was taken by the RAFA branch's chaplain Reverend Brian Gameson, who spoke of his youth, collecting shrapnel and witnessing the dogfights from August to October 1941.

He particularly remembered receiving - along with every other boy and girl in the country - a certificate from King George VI on June 8, 1946, recognising how the children of Britain had also suffered the hardships and triumphs of the war, but hoped they were proud of the older siblings and their parents who had done so much to safeguard the nation.

He told the congregation, which included Southend mayor Ron Price and mayoress Janet Price, it was "good we remember what those young men did 66 years ago. Many of them did not return."

The haunting notes of the Last Post was played by a bugler from the Air Training Corps band.

A march past by both the veterans and the young men and women of the corps brought to a close the tribute to - as Churchill recognised - "the few" who gave so much.