A commemorative service celebrating the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands war took place in Southampton today.

Led by the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin, Bishop of Southampton, and Reverend John Attenborough, Port Chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers, the service at Holyrood Church was attended by veterans honouring those who lost their lives fighting for the country.

Just before the service began at 11am, a Chinook helicopter from the RAF Odiham flew over the church, delighting crowds gathered outside.

Read more: This is the moment a Chinook helicopter flew over Southampton

After the service, the 17 Port & Maritime Regiment led a parade through the city which finished at the Guildhall.

Andy Andrews, 77, served with the Royal Navy at the time of the war.

He said: "It’s a memory you can’t erase, there’s lots of thought that I had that I never spoke about until a while ago.

"It was what I joined for, what I expected to have to do, I was prepared to do it, I also knew there was a good possibility I could be killed."

Not all veterans in attendance were involved in the Falklands conflict, but those who weren't still wanted to turn up to pay their respects to fellow comrades.

George Garman, 79, was in the Reserves at the time of the Falklands.

However, he shares a special bond with soldiers.

He said: “It’s very good, we’re all brothers, [it] doesn’t matter what service you’re in, you’re still a brother.”

Read more: Flypast and parade - Live updates as city marks Falklands anniversary

A total of 255 British forces personnel died in the 1982 conflict.

More than 2,000 were wounded during the fighting, and many more suffered – and still live with – unseen injuries.

Talking after the service, Reverend Debbie Sellin, Bishop of Southampton, said: “It’s a huge privilege to be here at Holyrood Church, the poignancy of what that church stands for and remembering another conflict and people here who part of that conflict was such a massive privilege.”

Dozens of members as well as mayor of Southampton, Cllr Jacqui Rayment attended the event.

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