VISITORS to a museum are being asked to come armed with their memories on Sunday for the regional launch of a BBC project.

The Yorkshire Air Museum, in Elvington, near York, is hosting the free BBC exhibition called People's War.

The ongoing project aims to capture the stories of veteran servicemen, women and civilians for future generations.

Visitors to the museum will be able to find out how they can add their experiences of the Second World War to an interactive website.

Museum director Ian Reed said: "As the lead centre for this national project, we are delighted to work closely with the BBC in bringing together and recording people's personal memories of those harrowing days of the Second World War."

Sunday's launch will feature a D-Day commemorative service at 11am, followed by a musical tribute. Subject to weather conditions there will also be a flypast by a Tiger Moth.

The museum's 1944 Timeline will be opened during the day, as will the Kohima Exhibition, featuring a rare Japanese 37mm infantry gun, captured during the Battle of Kohima by the York-based 2nd Infantry Division in June 1944.

The Battle of Kohima was the first Allied victory against the Japanese, who were forced into retreat from that point.

Published: 03/06/2004