DUNKIRK heroes gathered for a final tribute yesterday before disbanding.

Bishop Auckland Dunkirk Veterans' Association packed into the St Anne's Church, in the town, to see their standard dedicated to the church.

They were there to remember the evacuation of thousands of men from the French beaches by 550 small boats.

The association is being wound up because there are so few surviving members.

But most were certain the Dunkirk spirit would continue.

Tom Robson, who was still at school when it happened, went on to fight in the war.

He said: "The memory will live on. The Dunkirk spirit has gone into the English language."

Ray Ellar remembered escaping as a 19-year-old. He said: "They were trying to sort out all the single men from the married ones and the single soldiers were supposed to go back and defend with the guards.

"But they were having so much trouble separating us that, when the destroyer pulled in, we were all bunged on. That was the last boat that left and after that everything was blown up."

Joe Jenkins was turned away from a ship reserved for the wounded.

"I was left with the dead on the slipway," he said.

"Then I heard someone say, 'this is your last chance'. I looked down and saw a tiny fishing boat.

"I got in the boat and let my hands trail in the water and didn't wake up until I arrived in England."