VETERANS from across the United Kingdom are urging people from York to mark the anniversary of D-Day with them - as numbers attending commemoration services are falling every year.

This year, the Normandy Veterans Association will be having a service at York Minster on Sunday, July 22.

There will then be a march led by the Tyneside Highland Pipe Band and an event afterwards at York Racecourse.

Peter Hodge, honorary general secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, said veterans were eager to welcome as many people as possible to the event.

He said about 400 people came to the celebrations last year, which is down on the 600 guests the year before.

They are hoping for a bigger number of attendees this year at the Minster - which is big enough to hold hundreds more people.

Mr Hodge said: "This will be a particularly colourful event at the Minster this year and the veterans really appreciate people acknowledging their efforts in the war. This recognition is paramount to them."

Mr Hodge, a master mariner, is the first non-veteran to be honorary general secretary of the association.

He said it was very important for young people to get involved in the event, and commemorate D-Day with them.

He added: "We are fast approaching a time now when there will be none of the veterans left. This event will not continue past 2009 because we are losing people through old age and mobility problems."

Ed Slater, chairman of the association, also stressed the need for more people to go to the celebrations. He said: "There is definitely a need for people to know this is going on. Once they know I am sure many people will want to come and support the veterans."

This year's D-Day event will take place on Sunday, July 22, with the service starting at 2pm at York Minster.