MORE than half a million poppies will be dropped on a Southampton park from a Second World War bomber plane as the city commemorates D-Day.

A B-17 Flying Fortress will fly over Mayflower Park - the focal point of the 60th anniversary in Southampton - scattering the biodegradable poppies from 500ft.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for the traditional military drumhead service of remembrance and the Band of the Adjutant General' Corps will Beat Retreat as a finale to the afternoon.

In a moving tribute to the D-Day veterans living across the area, the B-17 will then join an MkV Supermarine spitfire for a fly-past.

It is also planned to fire a six round salute from a 25 pound artillery piece of the era and there will be a wreath-laying ceremony on Southampton Water by a landing craft from the 17th Port and Maritime Regiment.

Veterans attending the event will be invited to muster and march off the parade ground at the end of the day, along with the band and the cadet forces corps. The Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mrs Mary Fagin will take the salute.

A VIP seating area and limited parking will be available for veterans only on site, on a first come first served basis.

Anyone wanting to attend is advised to be at the park by 2.30pm, for the service which will start at 3pm.

A Southampton City Council spokesman said the event has been specifically aimed and created for the many veterans of the area who were not able or did not wish to go to France.

Early plans for the D-Day commemorations did include a march through the city, however all of the serving relevant military units were committed to the main event in France.