A tribute to war veterans

Crowds lined the street to pay their respects to war veterans during a day of remembrance in Dudley.

Veterans and air force cadets marched along High Street, climbing up towards St Thomas and St Luke's church for the annual Battle of Britain service yesterday.

The service of celebration and remembrance of one of the most famous battles of the Second World War was joined by dignitaries and Royal Air Force representatives.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Pat Martin and the Queen's Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands County, Paul Sabapathy CBE greeted the parade which was led by members of the Air Training Corps cadets and their own marching band.Proud family and friends of the cadets took their positions at the church as standard bearers and the band formed a guard of honour for the veterans.

Ex-RAF serviceman Martin Brooks and his wife Jean, aged 59 and 51 respectively, from Oldbury watched as their 16-year-old son Ian matched with the cadets. Ian is part of the 888 Oldbury Squadron of the ATC cadets. "He is so proud to be here and loves to be a part of a parade such as this."