THE Cathedral bells welcomed them in scores -- former soldiers and civilians wishing to pay their respects to the men who changed the course of the Second World War.

It is 60 years since the Few fought in the Battle of Britain, staving off Hitler's mighty airforce, and East Lancashire proved it had not forgotten at yesterday's service in Blackburn.

"We want the youth to understand what the battle was all about and hopefully the service will do that," said wing commander Derek Blunden MBE , president of the East Lancashire branch of the Aircrew Association.

Members of the East Lancashire Parachute Regiment swapped heroic tales with members of the Scottish infantry Black Watch while youngsters from the Blackburn Air Cadets lined the entrance to the Cathedral with flags aloft.

The Dean of Blackburn, David Frayne, was in attendance as was the Mayor of Blackburn Councillor Jack Bury and the Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle, Councillor Ian Gilhespy and Hazel Gilhespy.

Inside the Cathedral a scale model of one of the heroes of the famous battle commanded attention.

A Supermarina Spitfire Mark 1A built and lent for the day by Geoff Fisher of Nelson, provided a wistful talking point for the former soldiers who had gathered. "I used to fly one of these things," said Harold Dyball, from Mellor. "I was part of the 74th Tiger Squadron and although I didn't fly in the Battle of Britain I flew over Beachy Head as part of the invasions." The service included hymns, prayers and wartime poems.

Picture: Ex-Spitfire pilot Harold Dyball takes a closer look at model maker Geoff Fisher's Spitfire which featured at the Battle of Britain Service in Blackburn Cathedral.