A DUNKIRK veteran's heroic past was celebrated with a display by a drumming corps.

Ray Ellar, from Newton Aycliffe, is the oldest member of the Darlington branch of the Green Howards Association.

He served in the Middle East during the Second World War, and went on to take part in the D-Day Normandy landings.

In honour of his service, the corps of drums of the 1st Battalion Green Howards, based at Warminster, travelled to the Masonic Hall in Shildon, where the association was holding its Christmas dinner.

The demonstration battalion for the British Army then treated the guests to a display.

Ray and his wife, Ena, who have been married for 54 years, were presented with a framed photograph of themselves by the Darlington Green Howards Association.

The group meets on the first Thursday of every month at the RAFA Club, in Duke Street, Darlington, at 8pm.