A veterans' association for ex-servicemen and women has paid tribute to Dame Vera Lynn.

Relatives and friends of the Dover & Deal Burma Star Association gathered at Deal Castle Paddock Garden on Saturday to honour the Forces Sweetheart.

The Blue Birds Over The White Cliffs of Dover singer died on Thursday, aged 103.

She became famous after entertaining troops during the Second World War including those in Burma in 1944.

Malcolm Gibbons, secretary for the Friends of Dover & Deal Branch Burma Star Association, said: "On hearing the sad news that Dame Vera Lynn had passed away, it was decided that it would appropriate and a nice idea to lay a poppy wreath at the Burma Star Memorial at Deal Castle Paddock Garden in her memory.

"Dame Vera Lynn was made a holder of the Burma Star after she was appointed a Dame for her dedicated service and morale boosting in her going to entertain the troops in Burma in 1944."

Those in attendance gathered at 2m distance around the garden as Mr Gibbons placed the wreath down in front of the memorial.

The ceremony was opened with a recital of the Kohima Epitaph and followed by a moment of silence.

The Royal British Legion Exhortation was read by the president of the Downs Branch, Edward Barkway.

Dover & Deal Burma Star Association would usually meet at the Burma Star Chapel in Deal Castle every Saturday for the weekly page turning from the Book of Remembrance.

However with the closure of Deal Castle due to the pandemic, this has been unable to go ahead.

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