As commemorative D-Day celebrations take place another date for the diary is this coming Wednesday May 21. Marking the achievements of WWII COPP unit a covert group who played a vital role in the Normandy landings this is a chance to celebrate these brave veterans.

A number of speeches will be led by Lord Richards of Herstmonceux the former Chief of Defence Staff while wreath laying a march past band and unveiling of a dedicated COPP seat will also take place.

Sally Taylor from the BBC will be presenting and TV historian Dan Snow will delivering the keynote address. There will be entertainment from The Three Belles and men and women from the local 47 Regiment Royal Artillery will be in attendance helping out.

With sadly just a small number of surviving unit members alive this is likely to be the last time we can celebrate the brave acts of the unit.

You can find out more about the COPP heroes by visiting www.coppheroes.org/ and details of the days programme can be found in the Hayling.co.uk events section.