A MEMORIAL service was held to honour the heroism and sacrifice of soldiers who fought in the one of the Second World War's most famous battles.

Marking the 76th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem, or Operation Market Garden, the service was held at Colchester Cemetery on Thursday.

Dignitaries gathered at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Cross of Sacrifice for the socially distanced ceremony led by the Mayor of Colchester Nick Cope.

He was joined by Lieutenant Colonel Rob Arts, Military and Air Attaché of The Netherlands, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Toler MBE and Lieutenant Colonel David Lord PARA of 16 Air Assault Brigade.

Reverend Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester, and Reverend Richard Smith, senior chaplain with 16 Air Assault Brigade led prayers, and a lone bugler from The British Army Band Colchester, played The Last Post and Reveille.

A two-minute silence was then followed by the laying of wreaths and a blessing.

Mr Cope, said: “I was tremendously honoured to represent the people of Colchester during the commemorative service today and to be able to pay tribute, on their behalf, to the soldiers of the 1st Airborne Division who fought so bravely and against such impossible odds during one of the most intense and challenging battles of World War Two.

“We shall not forget their sacrifice in helping to defeat tyranny and secure the freedom in Europe that we all take for granted today."