OLD soldiers from all around the district are being invited out for a meal and a drink and it won't cost them a penny.

The war veterans are wanted by a group of Morecambe people who are planning a massive commemoration of D-Day in the resort this summer.

They will stage a re-enactment of the D-Day landings of June 1944 and are building three days of events and activities around the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the historic day.

But the Poulton Heritage Group wants to make sure that veterans of those historic days are not forgotten in the hubbub surrounding the festival on September 10, 11 and 12.

They have reserved places for up to 100 war veterans for a meal and Ensa-style show on September 11 at Smokey Joe's the former ex-servicemen's club in Morecambe.

But so far there are only a handful of takers for the event.

Heritage group chairman Steve Saunders says: "This weekend event is going to be something really special, with people coming from all over the country to join in.

"We already have more than 70 vehicles and thousands of people pledged to support us but really it is the veterans who are the most important of all. If it weren't for them, none of use might be here."

He emphasises that it is not just Normandy veterans who are invited to be at the showpiece event but men and women who served in any capacity in the services during the Second World War.

For more details of the event or to book a place at Smokey's, call Marie Tyson on 01524-424408.

* The Poulton Heritage Group is desperately in need of a treasurer as the countdown to the heritage festival begin. Call Marie, as above, for more information.