D-DAY veterans were the guests of honour at the opening of a New Forest pub.

The 11-strong group enjoyed a round of drinks on the house courtesy of landlord Michael Jamieson.

He's the new man in charge of The House Martin in Barton on Sea and extended an open invitation to The New Forest Branch of the Normandy Veterans' Association.

Members enjoyed relaxing in the new bar area and held a sing-song.

Ex-grenadier Gordon Berryman, 80, said: "No one knows much about the Normandy landings and I feel that sometimes we do have to sell ourselves over the next few months to make people aware of what we did."

He was joined by 77-year-old Ted Thurston, who served as an infrantryman with the 10th Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry.

The pair, along with about 20 other veterans from the New Forest branch, will be making the pilgrimage to Normandy for the D-day commemorations on the day of the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6.

Mr Thurston said: "I always go to visit the graves of my comrades who are buried in almost every cemetery. It will be extra poignant this year because I know that it is going to be the last time there are any official commemorations to mark D-Day."

Out of the 800 men in Mr Thurston's batallion, 500 never returned home.

Pub landlord Michael Jamieson said he was happy to welcome the veterans to the pub as part of its opening day. The building in Christchurch Road, formally known as The Centurion, has undergone a major makeover with a new kitchen and bar extension.