THEIR eyesight may be fading and their numbers dwindling, but Southampton war veterans still made a stirring sight as they paraded into the city's Guildhall for the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance last night.

Dozens of veterans from conflicts around the globe were joined by their families and civic dignitaries from Southampton and Hampshire to take part in the annual festival, which was saved from closure two years ago - thanks to an appeal by the Daily Echo.

The Festival was cancelled for the first time in its history in 2001 due to a lack of funds. But the Daily Echo stepped in and found sponsors for the following year's event.

Veterans were joined by Army and Navy cadets as British Legion standards were paraded into the Guildhall to the stirring accompaniment of the Ocean Brass Band. There followed a moving service dedicated to the thousands of men and women from Hampshire who have given their lives serving their country, culminating in a rendition of the Last Post.

Veteran Lionel Tucker, 88, of Wentworth Gardens, Southampton was joined by two fellow legion members who had seen action during the D-Day landings.

He joined-up in 1939 and was evacuated at Dunkirk in 1940 before returning to help liberate Europe from the Nazis four years later. He recalled: "Dunkirk was the worst thing I have ever experienced. It was hell."