THE creation at a York church of a special stained glass window to commemorate the D-Day landings will be featured on national TV tonight.

Barley Studios, in Dunnington, will appear on ITV4’s Made in Britain programme as cameras followed creative director Helen Whittaker through the process of making a window for St Lawrence's Church after being commissioned by York's Normandy Veterans.

Made in Britain, which goes behind the scenes as it celebrates British manufacturing, saw each step of the project through to the emotional unveiling of the window.

Helen said that for the veterans to have been involved on the process of creating the window had been 'very special' adding: "There is a sense of responsibility and you want to do right by them.

“They shared their moving stories with me and their sacrifice was evident so it was so important to get this right."

She said the design was inspired by the memories and recollections of the surviving veterans and it paid tribute to the inspiring spirit of comradeship, irrespective of rank or position.

A programme spokeswoman said that in the centre of the design, two men were seen waiting inside a landing craft at the dramatic moment when the armoured doors opened and the ramp was lowered. "Their backpacks proudly bear the badge of the City of York Normandy Veterans, in the distance we can see the smoke of battle over the sea and the Normandy shore," she said. "The men are both excited and terrified but determined. One of the men turns back, gesturing to his comrade in support and offering strength and trust, so they can face the coming assault together.

"Beyond them, many other comrades can be seen wading through the water and running up the beach amid the distinctive ‘hedgehog’ defences and other obstacles.

"In the sky above, a Halifax bomber pays tribute to the contribution of RAF Bomber Command in the aerial bombardment of critical infrastructure and the neutralisation of enemy defences behind the landing beaches.

"At the base of the design are the roofs and smoking chimneys of the homes the soldiers are defending and the trees they climbed in childhood. Ravens fly around the tree, the shape of their wings creating a visual link to the aeroplanes above and between home and the battlefield and providing a reminder of Jesus teaching his disciples not to be anxious our afraid.

"Beneath the men’s feet are the words taken from the hymn Judge Eternal, Throned in Splendour and the homestead and the woodlands plead in silence for their peace. Thus the men in the window inhabit two worlds, their thoughts moving between the security of home and the horror of battle but with the hope of peace to come.”.

*Made in Britain is on ITV4 at 8pm and will be available on ITV Player.