TEENAGE Air Training Cadets and elderly war veterans joined together to remember the Battle of Britain.

They marched side-by-side through Bolton town centre during the annual parade to pay tribute to all those young men who lost their lives.

As the church bells tolled and the band played, the 100 strong procession marched from Clive Street car park to Bolton Parish Church where a special service was held at about 10.30am.

Afterwards, they paraded along Churchgate, Deansgate and Howell Croft North to the war memorial in Victoria Square.

A trumpeter played Last Post as the cadets, a handful of veterans -- many of whom were in their 80s and 90s -- and more than 200 members of the public stood silent in memory of those who died.

The Mayor of Bolton Cllr Cliff Morris laid a wreath at 12 noon at the war memorial alongside the chairman of 80 Bolton Squadron, George Davies, who flew more than 50 missions in a Lancaster bomber.

It was on September 15, 1940, that the RAF started to beat the German Luftwaffe, shooting them down and forcing them back to their bases. Hitler had planned to wipe out the British planes and clear the way for Operation Sealion, the invasion of Britain, which would have started two days later.

George Davies, who is also treasurer of the Bolton branch of the RAF Association, said: "It is still important to remember the anniversary."

"As the years pass, there are fewer and fewer veterans so it is important for the younger people to take up the tradition."

Cllr Morris said: "It was good to see the young people supporting the veterans.

"I know there are not many of the older genration left but it is nice that the young people are encouraged to remember those who died."