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In Pictures: Emotions run high as D-Day veterans head for Normandy

Elderly ex-servicemen are marking the 80th anniversary of the landings which led to the liberation of France.

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D-Day 80th anniversary

A ferry carrying D-Day veterans is on its way to Normandy after an emotional send-off from Portsmouth.

A dwindling band of ex-servicemen will mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings and pay tribute to fallen comrades.

D-Day 80th anniversary
The Brittany Ferries ship Mont St Michel was escorted by HMS Cattistock as it set sail from Portsmouth Harbour (Andrew Matthews/PA)
D-Day 80th anniversary
Members of the public waved as a flotilla of small vessels gave the veterans an impressive send-off (Andrew Matthews/PA)
D-Day 80th anniversary
The veterans waved to people on other vessels and those standing at the harbour (Andrew Matthews/PA)
D-Day 80th anniversary
The veterans also posed for a group photo on the deck (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

A water salute was performed by tug boats beneath a Royal Air Force flypast.

D-Day 80th anniversary
The ships provided a spectacular display (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
D-Day 80th anniversary
A veteran waved to an RAF plane as it flew overheard (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
D-Day 80th anniversary
The Jedburgh Pipe Band provided musical accompaniment (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
D-Day 80th anniversary
A Spitfire plane was also packed on board ready for commemorations in Normandy (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

There were mixed emotions for those on board as the ship headed across the Channel – retracing a journey made by brave veterans 80 years ago.

D-Day 80th anniversary
Arnie Salter, 98, from Warwickshire, was all smiles (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
100-year-old D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, from Leeds, shed a tear for lost comrades
100-year-old D-Day veteran Jack Mortimer, from Leeds, shed a tear for lost comrades (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
D-Day 80th anniversary
Ronald Hendrey, 98, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was interviewed by a reporter (Jordan Pettitt/PA)