VETERANS from an air force squadron based in the Selby district held a reunion to pay their respects to comrades who lost their lives during the Second World War.

Dozens of former members of the 578 Bomber Command Squadron, which was based in the district during the war, gathered at Selby Abbey for a moving service

dedicated to their fallen comrades.

The Rev Keith Jukes, Abbey vicar, took the service and veterans also visited the town's cemetery to remember those from the squadron who lost their lives.

Charles Beecher, 81, of High Meadow, Bondgate, Selby, a former wireless mechanic with the squadron, said: "It went very well. It is a grand occasion.

"It is great for everybody to see one another. It is very convivial and jovial apart from the remembrance service in the Abbey.

"I think that is an integral part of the reunion and an ongoing essential element to remember our old colleagues who died during the war."

The 578 Squadron was formed in Snaith and based at Burn airfield from January, 1944, to April, 1945.

Members of the 578 Squadron Burn Association travelled from all corners of Britain to attend the ceremony.

On Sunday, a special plaque commemorating fallen airmen was unveiled at Burn Methodist Chapel.

Mr Beecher said many relatives had joined the association to keep the tradition alive as veterans passed away, saying: "Of course, the veterans are

getting fewer and fewer.

"Originally, it had a good many people and, although the association has more than 200 members, the number of actual veterans is probably down to 60 or 70. Quite a few of those are in their 80s."

The veterans also stopped at the Balkholme memorial, near Howden, which is

dedicated to the 14 crew who died when two Halifax bombers that were returning from a raid on Germany collided in mid-air.

The last remaining flying Lancaster bomber flew over the site.

A book of remembrance, listing all 219 crew from 578 Squadron killed in 14 months from January, 1944, is kept in a display case in Selby Abbey.

There were 72 aircraft lost from the squadron during the war, including 55 Halifax III bombers.

In 2004, more than 100 war veterans and hundreds of Selby residents gathered at the Abbey to celebrate the famous squadron's 60th anniversary.

Updated: 11:23 Monday, May 15, 2006