A GROUP of musicians showed their respects to the heroes of Dunkirk as they played a memorial service.

St Andrew’s Bolton Pipes & Drums were invited to make a second visit to the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships for its Annual Veterans Cruise on the River Thames.

The cruise made its way from the Thames Motor Yacht Club, Hampton Court to Weybridge Mariners Club during which time the band performed on “Jeff”, on of the 17 surviving little ships in attendance, and again at the Veterans Church Service ­— The Sunset Lowering of the Colours.

Secretary and drummer of the band, Alec Bingham, said “We were delighted to be invited back to play at the Veterans Church Service, The Sunset Lowering of the Colours, as well as onboard “Jeff”, one of the 17 surviving Little Ships that were in attendance.”

Plans are currently ongoing between the band and the association for the Pipes & Drums to travel over to Dunkirk in May 2020 and perform when once again many of the Little Ships will cross the English Chanel in a reconstruction of the famous rescue that took place on the beaches of Dunkirk.

Mr Bingham added: “We would love to hear from anyone who would be interested in helping with funding such a trip, or anyone who would like the band to play at their event in return for a donation to this great cause.”